Mumbai in IPL semis, Delhi out of contention

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]






MUMBAI: Ambati Rayudu and Rohit Sharma shone with the bat as Mumbai Indians booked a semi-final berth in the Indian Premier League on Saturday with a 32-run victory over Delhi Daredevils who are now out of contention.

Kolkata Knight Riders, second in the points table behind Mumbai, also brightened their playoff prospects, beating Chennai Super Kings by 10 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-marred home match at Eden Gardens.

Put into bat, opener Aiden Blizzard (37) gave Mumbai a rollicking start but Delhi pegged back the hosts by removing Sachin Tendulkar (14) and the Australian left-hander in successive overs.

Sharma (49) joined Rayudu (59) in the middle for a brisk 87-run partnership that powered Mumbai to a commanding 178-4 at the Wankhede Stadium.

Delhi lost their top four batsmen, including skipper Virender Sehwag (2), inside three overs and could not recover from the early setbacks.

James Hopes (55) and Y Venugopal Rao (37) helped them to 146 all out with a ball to spare.