Harbhajan smashes Chargers

Harbhajan smashed an unbeaten 49 off only 18 deliveries in Mumbai and had lifted the Indians to a challenging 172-7after Sachin Tendulkar had weighed in with a knock of 55 at the top of the order.

Harbhajan was then handed the new ball and he removed Gilchrist off the second delivery and picked up two further wickets to finish with figures of 3-31 as the Chargers, in reply, were bowled out for 131.

"I would be lying if I said that that innings didn't deflate us somewhat," said Gilchrist.

"You try not to set targets when you are bowling first, you try and get the job done and deal with whatever target you are set.

"We spoke about it during the break and we tried to dismiss it from our minds, but obviously my dismissal off the second ball only continued that flow towards the Mumbai Indians.

"We were in the contest for a lot of the game when bowling, but Harbhajan's innings totally changed the whole momentum and swung it around.

"We fought well to get close but the amount of runs we conceded in those last overs when Harbhajan was batting was definitely the difference."

Harbhajan revealed he had used one of Tendulkar's spare bats.

"When I walked out to bat, I thought we needed a few more runs on the board and luckily for me, everything just clicked into place," said Harbhajan.

"It was Sachin's bat I was using and I must thank him for giving me a fantastic bat.

"Everything I hit came off the centre of the bat and I'm pleased with the innings.

"I know I can hit the ball and that's the way I usually play, but I think today was my day."

The victory left the Indians two points clear at the top of the table and they next take on the Kings XI Punjab.

The Kings XI will be without their skipper Kumar Sangakkara, who has been handed a one-match ban for slow over rates.

Sangakkara, who has already been guilty of the offence twice before, was also fined 50,000 US dollars, while the other players were fined $20,000 US dollars each.