Dinesh Karthik - 44 from 39 balls
Having lost the toss and been sent in to bat, though Harbajahn said he'd have batted anyway, it was a disastrous start for Mumbai as they lost 2 early wickets to bring in Karthik at number 4, having floated around the order previously. I've always really rated Karthik and think he could be used to a much greater extent, possibly opening alongside Sachin as he has done in ODI cricket in the past. Here he showed good composure and technique on a pitch with carry and thus full value for shots. He had to play relatively cautiously but still was confident enough to walk down the pitch and hammer a couple of shots through the off-side, one prompting an incredible diving stop from Kohli to a ball that was really travelling. He also showed good footwork to the spinners, typical of a keeper, and launched Mohammad into the crowd over the leg side. However, he fell soon after when looking to attack Murali late on having been the main stay of the innings, a good knock that merits his position in the top order.
Vinay Kumar - 4-0-34-2
Mumbai's poor start was down to the new ball bowling by Zaheer and, in particular, Vinay Kumar as the ball was nipping around and carrying through to AB behind the stumps nicely. VK was lucky to take his first wicket as Franklin upper cut straight into the hands of third man but benefited from attacking the stumps as Sharma was trapped in front looking to flick to leg. He has struggled to live up to the price tag following his move from Kochi but this was a much better showing, although his figures suffered somewhat from Pollard's late assault in the last over, and his two early wickets were crucial in keeping MI down to just 141/6.
Harshal Patel - 4-0-24-2
Another new signing, on the back of a good season domestic season, Patel also impressed against an experienced Mumbai line-up. He didn't find the same movement as the likes of Zaheer and Kumar but was disciplined and also showed signs of variety with some slower balls including the difficult one out of the back of the hand. He'll be delighted to have got the wicket of Tendulkar, who skied a pull for a return catch, having troubled him beforehand. With his final ball Patel got the boost of a second wicket as Rayudu was caught on the fence at long-off allowing the 21 year old, with a good domestic record, to round off a good outing with the ball. Murali also performed notably to take 2-24, with a couple of big wickets in Karthik and Smith, but we all know he's a pretty decent bowler anyway!
Chris Gayle - 82* from 59 balls & MoM
He is quite simply a man that you cannot afford to give a life to and when Dwayne Smith (going from hero to zero) dropped a steepler, you just knew MI would regret it. No total is safe when Gayle is in the opposition, less so when its around 140, and having played himself in fairly cautiously, he made sure the game wouldn't be a contest when it was threatening to do so following the departure of Dilshan. Such is the importance of Gayle's wicket that Malinga bowled 3 overs at the start for the first time this season, but to no avail as Gayle was happy to wisely play him out and score the runs at the other end. Most medium pacers struggle to contain him and Pollard was no different, anything on a length was picked up for a straight six. Ojha bowled really poorly to him and was consequently struck for 3 consecutive maximums. Modern boundaries are far too small for Gayle who was able to play within himself and still score 82 from just 18 overs, a display of calculated brutality that saw his side comfortably over the line.
Virat Kohli - 36* from 25 balls
Vettori's decision to sit out and allow Murali into the side could be just what stand in skipper Kolhi needs to find his form with the bat. He came in at 48/1 in the 9th over and when chasing 140 this is hardly the ideal platform, luckily he was helped by having Gayle at the other end and could thus play himself in. Not that he really needed to as he timed the ball nicely early on and looked far more assured than at any other point this tournament. He was in total control from the start, playing out just 3 dots in total, and picking up boundaries when given the chance. He finished the game in style with a stunning 92m six over long on, fitting that the captain should finish it off. Kohli led his side well in the field, 140 was a vastly under par score, and led by example with exemplary ground fielding and a number of terrific saves in the covers. If he can start to fire then, alongside Gayle, Dilshan and AB, RCB's prospects will improve dramatically.
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