Mumbai: Yusuf Pathan's blitzkrieg century went in vain as Mumbai Indians held their nerve to clinch a thrilling four-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in their opening game on Saturday.
Yusuf lashed eight sixes and nine fours in his 37-ball 100 - the fastest century in the IPL - as Rajasthan clawed back from a precarious 66-4 but an unfortunate run-out ended his spectacular knock. Chasing 213, Rajasthan couldn't finish the game in Zaheer Khan and Lasith Malinga's final overs.
Rajasthan were off to a disastrous start when they lost opener Swapnil Asnodkar in the first over, before Naman Ojha and Graeme Smith (26) followed. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala's dismissal in the 10th over had them in trouble.
However, Yusuf, who has been in terrific form in the domestic season, continued his charge - his first few scoring shots were all sixes. R Sathish, the bowler who Yusuf was particularly severe on, had his revenge when Paras Dogra drove straight back to him and Sathish ran the batsman out.
Dogra impressed with a 29-ball 41 but was brilliantly run out by Malinga, before the Mumbai bowlers dried up the runs to clinch a narrow victory.
Earlier, maiden half-centuries from Ambati Rayudu and Saurabh Tiwary powered Mumbai Indians to a stiff 212-6. It was Mumbai's highest score in all IPL matches.
The match, being billed as the battle between Tendulkar and Royals captain Shane Warne, didn't reach the point as Sachin Tendulkar departed before the spin legend came on to bowl, after the Mumbai captain won the toss and chose to bat.
Sanath Jayasuriya and Tendulkar gave Mumbai a flying start at the Brabourne Stadium, with the veteran Sri Lankan taking the attack to the likes of Shaun Tait and Kamran Khan.
Jayasuriya crashed three fours and a six before Amit Uniyal trapped the Sri Lankan in front of the stumps, before Dmitri Mascarenhas had Tendulkar playing across the line for 17. Mascarenhas added another in the same over when he had Aditya Tare caught by Warne at short cover.
But right-hander Rayudu, who made his debut in the IPL, and Tiwary added 110 runs in a little over 10 overs. The onslaught included Tiwary's special treatment for Shane Warne, who the left-hander dispatched for 29 runs in his three overs.
Rayudu started cautiously but picked up with fluent boundaries all around the ground. He finally fell for 55 which came off only 33 balls while Tiwary's 53 also took up as many deliveries.
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