Royal Challengers Bangalore V Mumbai Indians CLT20 2011 Final Live: Suryakumar Yadav Starts Aggressively

The end of the Powerplay overs gets Daniel Vettori to bowl himself on at one and Raju Bhatkal at the other. And I think I need to take my words back on Franklin – clearly looks like he has gotten up from the right side of the bed.

Earlier, he smashed a four and a six off the slow medium Aravind and now slashes Bhatkal to the fence. The Mumbai Indians could have easily lost their way at 24/2 but Franklin’s positive approach seems to be pulling the side through.

And it runs on to the earlier out of form, Rayadu as well – who smashes one of the more economic bowlers in the tournament, Vettori, for a six. Mumbai Indians nudge past the seven-run per over run-rate, 64/2 in nine overs.

What the Mumbai Indians needed at 24/2 was a good, solid partnership and that is exactly what they have got. But as has been the case in the tournament before this, Rayadu falls after getting bit of a start for 22; scores of 19, 2, 6, 36 and 5 before this.

Interestingly, the Mumbai Indians have kept Kieron Pollard back in the hut and sent Suryakumar Yadav. And while the fans wonder and the commentators speak of the fact that Pollard needs to bat a lot more time, Yadav straight lofts the Bhatkal to the fence. Halfway stage 71/3 for the Mumbai Indians.

For the second time in the innings, a fall of a wicket has got Vettori to bowl their fifth bowling option in Dilshan. Smart captaincy from the veteran Kiwi on a day when his national rugby side steamrolled over the Argentines to book a place in the Rugby World Cup semi-final against the Wallabies. Mouth-watering contest that!

Coming back to another, slightly lesser mouth-watering one, Gayle will now bowl at the Mumbai Indians. How Pollard would now want to be at the crease against his former West Indian captain. A reasonable over this time – after having given away 12 runs an over through the tournament – for the Mumbai Indians to get to 82/3 in 12 overs.

The Mumbai Indians have done good to not lose wickets in a heap, but a target of 150 could well be smashed around easily if Gayle gets going. You may talk about the pitch being slow but Gayle does not bother too much about reputations of the tracks. Much like how Warner hadn’t done in the game against the Chennai Super Kings.

In the meantime, we have our answer on why Yadav was promoted – fielding coach Robin Singh is miked up and says that he is rather innovative against the spinners. And almost on cue, Dilshan is smacked by Yadav for a six and a four over long-on area. Best over of the innings for Mumbai as they get to 96/3 in 13.