McCullum and Karthik fire, Gujarat set Mumbai 177 run target

Photo: BCCI New Delhi: Brendon McCullum’s breezy half-century enabled Gujarat Lions to set a 177 run target to Mumbai Indians in an IPL encounter in Mumbai. Opting to bowl first, Mumbai Indians got a perfect start as McClenaghan removed Dwayne Smith for a duck their joy was short lived as McCullum started firing all cylinders. The former New Zealand skipper smashed 64 off 44 balls with 6 fours and 3 sixes. He nullified the threat of Jaspirt Bumrah and Lasith Malinga by taking on both of them. After McCullum’s dismissal the Gujarat innings went downhill. Youngster Ishan Kishan failed to grab the opportunity and struggled to 11 off 14 balls. Dinesh Karthik then took the centre stage with a sparkling innings. Karthik, who has been in terrific form in the domestic season took the Wankhede stadium by storm. The wicket-keeper batsman scored 48 off just 36 balls, hitting 2 fours and as many sixes. Coming in to bat at No. 6, Jason Roy played a 16 run cameo to push the Gujarat total to 176. For Mumbai Indians McClenaghan and Harbhajan were the pick of the bowlers. McClenaghan picked up 2 wickets for 24 runs while the experienced Harbhajan returned with 1 for 22. There go to men Malinga and Bumrah went the distance, both of them gave more then 10 runs an over in their quota of 4 overs. Malinga gave 51 runs in his 4 overs - his most expensive spell in IPL.