Mumbai Indians' pacer Nechim thanks Harbhajan Singh for his success against Yuvraj Singh's Pune Warriors at the Wankhede yesterday
Mumbai Indians' pacer Nechim thanks Harbhajan Singh for his success against Yuvraj Singh's Pune Warriors at the Wankhede yesterday
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Munaf Patel's three for eight in 2.2 overs may have bagged him the Man of the Match award yesterday, but the contribution of right-arm pacer Abu Nechim cannot be ignored either.
Playing his first match of the Indian Premier League's (IPL) fourth season, the Assam player grabbed the opportunity with both hands. His twin blows (Jesse Ryder and Mithun Manhas) in the third over was enough to unsettle Pune Warriors, who never regained momentum thereafter and were eventually bowled out for 118 in 17.2 overs at Wankhede yesterday.
Nechim said he was a bundle of nerves before teammate Harbhajan Singh gave him some tips. "I was a bit nervous today. But Harbhajan paaji told me to relax and just bowl as if I was bowling in the nets. He told me to play bindaas (fearlessly)," Nechim told MiD DAY after Mumbai Indians' seven-wicket win against Pune Warriors.
Nechim had the dangerous Ryder, who made a half-century in the last match against Delhi Daredevils, caught by skipper Sachin Tendulkar at mid-on for just 12. A ball later, he dismissed Manhas, caught-behind by Ambati Rayudu, for a duck. "I did not perform well against Chennai Super Kings in the last IPL, so, I was keen to do well with whatever opportunity I get. My aim is to do well in the remaining matches that I get and help Mumbai Indians win," said Nechim.
Mumbai Indians hard-hitting batsman Kieron Pollard said for Nechim's performance proved that the team's bench strength was good. "Abu bowled well in the start. He grabbed his opportunity. It's a good sign for the team. I feel every youngster in the team should take a leaf out Nechim's book," said Pollard.
Yesterday once again it was Sachin Tendulkar (35) and Ambati Rayudu (37) who steadied the ship after opener James Franklin (6) fell early.
Andrew Symonds (16 not out) and Rohit Sharma (20 not out) did the job in the end, but not before giving a few jitters. Needing five runs in the last over, Symonds and Sharma dealt in ones and twos. It came down to one run from last ball and Sharma hit a six.
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