CLT20: Mumbai Indians destroy Perth Scorchers, seal the semi-final spot

Rohit Sharma was in his element as Mumbai Indians blew away Perth Scorchers

Mumbai Indians, powered by blistering knocks from Rohit Sharma and Dwayne Smith, defeated Perth Scorchers by six wickets in an emphatic fashion to seal the semi-final berth, thereby eliminating Otago Volts, in their final group A match at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi.

Needing 150 runs in 14.2 overs to qualify for the semi-finals, Mumbai Indians were off to flier, despite the loss of Sachin Tendulkar, for a duck, and Glenn Maxwell in quick successions, as Dwayne Smith tore apart the Scorchers bowling attack.

The last over of the powerplay, bowled by Joel Paris, yielded 19 runs. Just when Smith and Rohit Sharma were looking like they would break the back of the chase, a brilliant catch from Jason Behrendorff in the deep sent back the West Indian, for a whirlwind 48 off 25 deliveries.

Kieron Pollard walked into the crease with Mumbai needing 78 off 42 deliveries to gain the all-important qualification. The task was made to look easier, despite Pollard not breaking a sweat, as Rohit played a stunning knock ( 51* off 24). The Mumbai Indians’ captain, sparring no bowlers who came in his way, sealed the fate of the match in just 13.2 overs. Ambati Rayudu finished off the chase with consecutive sixes of Ashton Agar.

Earlier in the day, put into bat first by Mumbai Indians’ captain Rohit Sharma, Perth Scorchers were off to a sedate start. Both the openers, Ashton Agar (35 off 40) and Simon Katich (13 off 19), were bowled by Pragyan Ojha in the ninth over of the innings, after having managed to score only 55 runs off the first 9.1 overs.

Hilton Cartwright and Sam Whiteman did very well to revive the innings with a 58-run partnership off just 34 balls before another double-wicket over, this time by Nathan Coulter-Nile, dented their progress.

Cartwright, on 28 off 20, saw his woodwork disturbed while Ashton Turner was trapped LBW by a full length delivery from Coulter-Nile, for a duck.

However, Whiteman, unbeaten on 51 off 32, made sure that he gave his bowlers’ a decent target to defend by taking the Scorchers to 149/6 at the end of 20 overs.