Duminy, Rahane keep Mumbai afloat in IPL

Mumbai Indians rode on a record stand by Jean-Paul Duminy and Ajinkya Rahane to beat Bangalore Royal Challengers by 16 runs in the Indian Premier League on Sunday.

The duo put on 104 off 72 balls, the highest third-wicket partnership in the IPL, as Mumbai scored 157-2 in 20 overs before restricting Bangalore to 141-7 at St George's Park here.

Mumbai's fourth win in 10 matches took them to nine points and kept their hopes alive of making the semi-finals. Bangalore were stuck on eight points from 10 games.

Both teams have four more league matches to play. Rahane and Duminy came to the crease after skipper Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed for zero in the second over and Sri Lankan veteran Sanath Jayasuriya fell for 29 in the eighth.

Rahane, a 20-year-old from Mumbai, remained unbeaten on 62 off 49 balls with four boundaries and a six.

Duminy, the left-handed South African, made 59 not out off 41 balls, a knock that was studded with three sixes and two fours.

Bangalore's challenge faded after four wickets fell for 58 by the 10th over, including those of Jacques Kallis (12) and Rahul Dravid (10).

South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher smashed an unbeaten 48 off 33 balls, but his gallant effort was not enough for Bangalore to snatch an unlikely win.

India spinner Harbhajan Singh was Mumbai's star bowler with two wickets for 15 runs in his four overs.

Mumbai Indians 157-2 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 62 not out, Jean-Paul Duminy 59 not out, Vinay Kumar 1-30, Roelof van der Merwe 1-17). Bangalore Royal Challengers 141-7 in 20 overs (V. Kohli 20, M. Boucher 48 not out, Harbhajan Sngh 2-15)

Mumbai won by 16 runs.

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa, Sunday, AFP