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Rana and McClenaghan inspire another Mumbai win

Mumbai Indians fast bowler McClenaghan

Nitish Rana took over as the leading run-scorer in the Indian Premier League and Mitchell McClenaghan starred with the ball as Mumbai Indians beat Gujarat Lions by six wickets to go top of the table.

Mumbai came into Sunday's game on a three-match winning run and maintained their momentum at Wankhede Stadium, sealing another victory with three balls to spare.

Brendon McCullum (64 from 44 balls) and Dinesh Karthik (48 off 26) ensured the Lions posted a competitive total of 176-4 despite impressive spells from McClenaghan (2-24) and Harbhajan Singh (1-22).

It did not prove to be enough, though, as Rana took advantage of being dropped by Jason Roy on nine to make 53 off 36 deliveries before Kieron Pollard (39) and Rohit Sharma (40 not out) played a big hand in another success for in-form Mumbai.

McClenaghan was impressive in the victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday and the New Zealander quick struck with the second ball of the innings when Devon Smith slapped him to Rana at backward point.

McCullum fell just one shy of a half-century in the Lions' win over Gujarat Lions last time out, but was raising his bat two days later.

The former Black Caps captain launched a short one from Lasith Malinga for six over point and also cleared the ropes over midwicket in a costly over from the Sri Lanka quick. 

Harbhajan saw the back of Suresh Raina (28) and Malinga gained some revenge by cleaning up McCullum after the opener had hit three sixes and another four boundaries, but Karthik's lively knock gave Mumbai a challenging total to chase down.  

Praveen Kumar had Parthiv Patel caught by Roy in the first over, but the England batsman was unable to hold on at midwicket when Rana failed to get hold of a delivery from Basil Thampi.

That proved to be a key moment, as the grateful Rana eased the same bowler over extra cover for six and hit Andrew Tye for another maximum in the next over.

Rana and Jos Buttler (26) put on 24 in just nine overs before Rohit ended his run drought and Pollard - who made a match-winning 70 against RCB - built on the foundations as Mumbai made another statement. 

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