HARBHAJAN SINGH HAPPY WITH WINNING STREAK OF MUMBAI INDIANS

The Indian off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh, who is representing Mumbai Indians in the latest edition of the Indian Premier League, on Thursday expressed satisfaction over the way things have gone for the franchise so far.

When asked about the winning streak of the Mumbai Indians, the 30-year-old off-spinner said he was happy with team’s performance in the tournament so far and hoped they would continue the form in the remainder of the league.

He also singled out Rohit Sharma and Andrew Symonds for their match winning performances in the previous games.

"I am happy with the way things have gone till now,” said Singh. “We have been through rough patches but one or the other has been able to pull us through. Like in the last match Rohit Sharma and Andrew Symonds batted well to help us to reasonable score which could be defended," he added.

The Sachin Tendulkar-led Mumbai Indians side is leading the points table with five wins from six games. Their only defeat in the ongoing edition was against Kochi Tuskers Kerala on April 15.

Talking about the good form of Rajasthan’s skipper Shane Warne, Harbhajan said, "He is great cricketer and greatest spinner. I myself would be talking to him and get tips so that I can prolong my international career."

The 30-year-old Punjab spinner also hailed Ambati Rayudu of Mumbai Indians and termed the youngster as a special talent. He said that facing legendary Australia spinner would be a challenge for the youngster.

When asked about his role in the side, the right-arm spinner said that it had not changed as such.

"I and seniors like Sachin try and build the team like a unit and instill confidence in the youngsters by telling them to be part of think tank," Harbhajan said.

The Mumbai Indians have been remarkable in all the three departments of the game, including batting, bowling and fielding in the tournament so far. Harbhajan gave credit of the sharp fielding of his side to the amazing fielding coach Jonty Rhodes.

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Sachin Tendulkar and Mumbai Indians record impressive win over Deccan Chargers

MI 172/4 20 overs DC 135/8 20 overs

Mumbai Indians gave their team captain, Sachin Tendulkar, the perfect birthday gift as they trounced the Deccan Chargers in a crucial match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) played at the least favourite venue for the hosts, Uppal Stadium.

In four years the Chargers have hardly ever won at the venue and once again a capacity crowd was left disappointed due to a poor performance from the hosts, who allowed the Indians to post a big total of 172 before succumbing to a meagre 135 run total themselves.

The Indians opted to bat first and the opening pair of Tendulkar and Davy Jacobs got the team off to a flying start as they scored 47 runs in 5.1 overs before Jacobs fell for a well made 32 that came off a mere 20 balls. Tendulkar tried to up the tempo after his demise. However, the birthday boy fell to left arm spinner, Pragyan Ojha, after scoring 28 runs off 24 balls.

Ambati Rayudu and Kieron Pollard were soon sent back as the Indians wobbled at 70/4, the Chargers were revved up and looked set to choke the visitors for runs. The morale didn’t last for long and things changed at this stage as the Indians made an astonishing comeback through an unbeaten 102 run stand between Rohit Sharma and Andrew Symonds.

The two big-hitters laid into the hosts smashing them to all parts of the ground at the end of the innings, Sharma scored a dazzling 56 off 34 balls while Symonds smashed 44 off 33 balls.

The hosts were hit hard by the unexpected assault at the end of the Mumbai innings and captain Kumar Sangakkara tried to revive their hopes after an early loss of a wicket. However he failed to make most of his own start and perished for 34 runs as the rest of the batting line-up also failed to inspire much with Amit Mishra and Daniel Christian the only two batsmen to cross the 20 runs mark late in the order.

The listless batting performance saw the hosts end 37 runs short of the target. For the Indians, Lasith Malinga the man with the most potent yorker in modern cricket snared three wickets for a mere nine runs of four fantastic overs.

He was named man of the match as the Indians celebrated another important win and solidified their position in the league.

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Rohit Sharma eager to make a comeback to the national side

The promising India batsman, Rohit Sharma said on Saturday that he has gotten over the disappointment of not making his maiden World Cup berth but he is still eager to make a comeback in the national side.

The 23-year-old Maharashtra batsman, who was overlooked by the selectors for the World Cup campaign, vowed that he would give his absolute best whenever he gets the opportunity of putting on the national colors in future.

"I know I missed out on the World Cup. But it's alright; such things happen. I just need to keep my focus on. Don't lose my heart and whenever I get the opportunity, just do my best," said Sharma.

Sharma, who is yet to debut in the Test format of game, has played 61 One Day Internationals compiling 1248 including two centuries and five fifties.

Sharma is representing Mumbai Indians in the ongoing season four of the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) and has been remarkable with the bat so far.

He has compiled a tally of 134 runs from three games. The tally also includes his whirlwind knock of 87 runs against Chennai Super Kings which was laced with eight muscular boundaries and five lofty sixes.

Talking about his belligerent innings against Chennai, Sharma said that he did not have enough opportunities earlier to prove his mettle. He was pleased with his stellar performance against Chennai bowlers.

I have been batting well,” said Sharma. I have not had enough opportunities. It was my day, there was pressure and I did well. I am glad to make runs. It was a perfect day for me. Two wickets in first four overs and I had time in my hand to go and get my runs," he added further.

The Maharashtra batsman was also happy the way Wankhede Stadium behaved under lights. He said that the dew made facilitated batsmen at an already batting friendly Wankhede pitch. He further added that the ball was coming on nicely to the bat because of dew and he just took it from there.

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MUMBAI INDIANS GREET RAY PRICE AS TARE, DAVY AND AMBATI COMPETE FOR KEEPING POSITION

Mumbai Indians have greeted the services of Zimbabwe Spinner Ray Price, who will be joining them before their match against the Deccan Chargers on Sunday, 24 April, 2011.

The left-arm spinner has replaced the Australian all-rounder Moises Henriques, who continues to recover from surgery for an adductor muscle injury.

Ray will remain with the top franchise on the points table until the end of IPL ongoing edition.

Ray price is at the second position on ICC’s One Day Internationals (ODI) bowling rankings right now. Pricewas the best bowler amongst the Zimbabwe bowlers with an average of 18.77 and economy rate of 3.44.

Price shared that at the start of his International career, his aim was to finish at top of the rankings, however, being ranked number two in the world is exceptional and he will be eyeing the number one position.

In the mean time, Rohit Sharma is resolute in using the IPL to re-emerge in the international cricket.

The endowed right handed Indian batsman, who missed out on a World Cup berth earlier in the year, splintered a blistering 87 against Chennai Super Kings on Saturday as the hosts powered past the defending champions at the Wankhede Stadium and is looking forward to extend his affluent run of form against the Deccan Chargers.

"I know I missed out on the World Cup, but it's okay because such things happen. I just need to keep my focus. I must not lose heart and whenever I get the opportunity, just do my best," said Sharma, who last played for India in January.

He added that he has been batting well. There has been pressure and he has done well. He is happy to score some runs.

Aditya Tare meanwhile, has not played any IPL match yet since Mumbai keep switching between Davy Jacobsand Ambati Rayudu as their starting wicket-keeper batsman.

Tare is hopeful about a good performance if he gets a chance to play against the chargers on Sunday.

Whilst South African star Jacobs kept the wicket in Mumbai’s first three matches this season, Indian rookie Rayudu has done so in the fourth and fifth games.

"It's always a challenge. There is healthy competition between me, Davy and Ambati. I am doing my very best in the training sessions. So, let us see how it goes," said Tare.

"Batting comes naturally to me. I love to play attacking shots. Hopefully, I can spend more time in the middle, plan my innings well and try and get runs for my side on a consistent basis."

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HARBHAJAN SINGH HOPES CHENNAI SUPER KINGS FIVE-FOR IS ADDED TO HIS TEST MATCH STATISTICS

Mumbai Indians off-spinner Harbhajan Singh wishes his five-wicket haul against the Chennai Super Kings is counted in his Test match statistics.

Harbhajan, who is delighted over his achievement, took five wickets against the Super Kings in the ongoing Indian Premier League recently.

“I am happy we won and I contributed with the ball. To be honest, it's nice to get five wickets as it's difficult to get one wicket sometimes. But I wish these wickets will count in my Test cricket stats. That would be nice, another five-wicket haul in Test cricket,” stated Harbhajan.

The Mumbai Indians sealed an 8-run victory against Chennai on April 23, 2011 at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.

Harbhajan dismissed Suresh Kumar Raina in the 5^th over and Srikkanth Anirudha in the 16^th over. Following that, he killed the contesting spirit of the rivals by dismissing Albie Morkel, Ravichandran Ashwin and Joginder Sharma in a single over.

The star bowler conceded that his luck played a part in bowling out Srikkanth Anirudha, who thumped a full toss delivery to Rajagopal Sathish at deep mid-wicket.

Harbhajan, also known as ‘The Turbanator’, further added that pressure builds up when a batsman is required to score 10 runs in each over. Anirudha tried availing a chance that came his way but ultimately failed.

On the other hand, Mumbai Indians batsman Rohit Sharma, who regretted missing out on the ICC World Cup 2011, said he is eager to plunge at every opportunity that knocks on his door.

Sharma’s batting anchored the Mumbai Indians on a solid foundation and helped them amass a total of 164 runs. He reaped 87 runs off 48 balls, including 8 boundaries and 5 sixes in his brilliantly paced innings.

“I have been batting well. I have not had enough opportunities. Today was my day, there was pressure and I did well. I am glad to make runs. It was a perfect day for me. Two wickets in first four overs and I had time in my hand to go and get my runs,” Sharma said.

Sharma said that he wants to keep his focus on the game and will not lose his composure when a situation goes downhill.

Meanwhile Harbhajan Singh is hopeful that Mumbai Indians will be able to win against Deccan Chargers on April 24, 2011. The day of the match coincides with the batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar’s birthday. Harbhajan and his teammates are confident that they will be able to gift a scintillating victory to the legendary batsman on his 38^th birthday.

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Tendulkar credits Mumbai Indians fielding for win over Chennai

Mumbai Indians’ captain, Sachin Tendulkar, gave full credit to his team’s unbelievable fielding for their thrilling eight-run victory over Chennai Super Kings on Friday.

Heaping praise on players for their excellent show on the field, the master blaster lauded Harbhajan Singh and Rohit Sharma for their superb bowling and batting performances. The Mumbai outfit did not disappoint their home crowd and thrashed the Chennai Super Kings in a nail-biting contest at Wankhede Stadium.

Having been asked to bat first, the Mumbai Indians put up a fighting total of 164 runs on the board. Rohit Sharma batted outstandingly and smashed a blistering innings of 87 runs from just 48 balls.

While defending the score, Harbhajan continued the same momentum and scalped this season’s second five wicket haul. The Indian off-spinner returned with terrific figures of five for 18 to restrict the opposition to 156 for nine in 20 overs.

"Rohit batted brilliantly to rally the side and then Harbhajan bowled fantastic but I think fielding was unbelievable and we saved a lot of runs. It was a spectacular show in fielding," Tendulkar said.

Tendulkar said that even though his team was a few runs short from the desired total, the players did a fantastic job in the bowling and fielding departments. "May be we were short by 10-15 runs. But we said 165 is defendable if we field well and bowled tight. Our catching was very good and ground fielding also brilliant," the maestro added.

The Chennai skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni also admitted that the key difference between the two sides was fielding and the Mumbai side had been impressive on the field.

Tendulkar explained that the team is feeling great for their strong comeback in the tournament, winning two consecutive games after being routed by Kochi Tuskers Kerala in their only loss in the season. With their fourth win in the in the ongoing tournament, the Mumbai Indians have jumped to the top spot in the Indian Premier League standings.

The little master further claimed that the team has a great chance to go all the way in the competition. However, the skipper urged his team-mates to continue with the good work in the forthcoming matches.

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