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Tuesday, 11 October 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
CHENNAI (AFP): Skipper Harbhajan Singh bagged three wickets to help Mumbai Indians lift the Twenty20 Champions League title with a 31-run victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final on Sunday.
The off-spinner removed hard-hitting Chris Gayle (five), Virat Kohli (11) and Daniel Vettori (one) as Mumbai dismissed Bangalore for 108 after scoring a modest 139 on a low, slow pitch where stroke-making was not easy.
Man-of-the-match Harbhajan was superbly backed by leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who finished with 2-9 off three tight overs.
“We have performed outstandingly. We were right in the game when we went in to bowl. It was just a matter of getting Gayle, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kohli. It was a fantastic effort by the boys,” said Harbhajan.
“We had the belief we could defend any total.”
Bangalore lost their way after Sri Lankan Dilshan dominated a 38-run stand for the opening wicket off four overs with Gayle. Dilshan scored a 20-ball 27 before being bowled by compatriot and man-of-the-series Lasith Malinga (2-23).
“We thought it (the target) was tough, but gettable,” said Bangalore captain Vettori, adding, “We got a good start, but things went pear-shaped after that. Mumbai had the experience on this track and they bowled well. We are always proud of making the final.”
Mumbai, who were without star batsman Sachin Tendulkar due to a toe injury, got USD 2.5 million for clinching the title while Bangalore took home USD 1.3 million.
Mumbai earlier looked like setting a stiff target after winning the toss when they reached 105-3 in the 14th over, but they lost four wickets for as many runs, with left-arm spinner Vettori taking two. New Zealander James Franklin (41) propped up the innings after Mumbai had lost both openers for 24 runs as he added 41 for the third wicket with Ambati Rayudu (22) and 40 for the next with Suryakumar Yadav (24).
But Mumbai suffered a twin blow when well-set Franklin and Yadav were run out in the space of three runs. Franklin hit two sixes and as many fours in his 29-ball knock.
New Zealander Vettori then struck twice in his fourth and last over to put more pressure on Mumbai, dismissing Kieron Pollard (two) and Harbhajan for no score to finish with 2-30.Seamer Raju Bhatkal was the most successful bowler with 3-21, including two wickets in his third over.
