Kochi Tuskers Kerala crush the Mumbai Indians by 8 wickets

IPL - 13th match: Mumbai Indians vs. Kochi Tuskers Kerala at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai .... yes, the same place where the Indians won the World Cup 2011 some 13 days ago in a stunning victory against Sri Lanka. With much hopes of watching the same power-packed, adrenalin rushed performance once again on the Wankhede grounds, my inquisitive eyes fixed on the screen.

Mahela Jayawardene won the toss ... decided to field. Sachin would have elected to bowl as well.

Jacobs and Tendulkar enter the field. Tendulkar starts the first over with a boundary ... good start for the Mumbai Indians. After the 3rd over, there was no looking back, Tendulkar was in a smashing mood, and boundaries were raining left and right. Infact, Sachin played "Dhoni's helicopter shot" probably for the first time ... and as always it is a real treat to see him in action. Sachin's first IPL century in Twenty20 cricket will be remembered by cricket fans for generations to come! Momentarily, I wondered if there is anything that Sachin can't do on the field .... then my curiosity rested with the thought that god can do anything he sets his mind onto ... and Sachin - the cricket god is no less!

Another  player who stole the show was Ambati Rayudu. His quick-fire 53 off 33 balls was just what the Mumbai Indians needed to get to an impressive total of 182. I definitely pondered over the thought that why is Ambati not a part of Team India yet. His performance has been pretty consistent and batting is absolutely magical ... Is it just me who can see glimpses of an outstanding batsman (and is good behind the wickets too) in him or what?

182 runs - Highest score in IPL 2011 so far. Now, my mind started racing and heart pounding heavily, will the Kochi Tuskers be able to fight it out and go for their very first IPL victory of the season.

To chase 183-run target, skipper Jayawardene and Brendon McCullum enter the batting arena. If one can hit boundaries off of Malinga's balls, then that team definitely is off to a good start. Malinga was infact hammered in the very 2nd over of the match and then there was no turning back for the Tuskers. McCullum's well-paced 81 and Jayawardene's impressive 56 definitely put pressure on the Mumbai Indians. Jadeja's powerful 25 off 11 balls - especially the manificient 20 runs in the winning over was just what the Tuskers needed to win - an impressive comeback by the KTKs after losing the initial IPL matches. The bright purple and orange color of the Tuskers definitely blinded the Mumbai Indians today.

My heart will always secretly support Mumbai Indians and can't see them lose especially after such a manificient game, but the Tuskers' victory today ... is absolutely justified!!