THE WORLD’S most fearsome batsman, Sanath Jayasuriya, bulldozed Chennai Super Kings’ bowlers and scored his unbeaten 114 out of 45 balls against Chennai Super Kings on May 14 (Wednesday) night. It was the second fastest century of Indian Premiere League (IPL) and Jayasuriya’s maiden century in the IPL and fourth in Twenty20.

Jayasuriya hit 11 sixes in the highly exciting batting innings and has been bettered only by Brendon McCullum’s 13 during his unbeaten knock of 158 not out for Kolkata Knight Riders against Bangalore Royal Challenges in Bangalore on April 18. Jayasuriya has become the fifth batsman to post a 100 in the IPL.

This (nine-wicket) was Mumbai Indians’ biggest victory-margin in the IPL so far. They have won four out of eight matches, played by them. While Chennai Super Kings have triumphed six and lost four out of their 10 matches, local boy Subramaniam Badrinath scored 53 out of 33 balls and penned his second successive 50 in the IPL. In his previous innings against Kings XI Punjab at Chennai on May 10, he had made 64 out of 47 balls. Badrinath, the emerging star, has cumulated 315 at an average of 45.00 in 13 innings in T20, including two 50s.

Badrinath’s batting statics show that this little known cricketer has the courage to challenge international bowler. Mahinder Singh Dhoni’s effort (43 not out out of 35 balls) went in vain, as his team failed to register big score for Mumbai Indians. Dhoni’s total score is 332 from 10 games at an average of 47.42, which is poor but this score is average to his cracking image in international cricket, as he is the most expensive player in the IPL.

But Delhi Daredevil’s opener, Gautam Gambhir, trailed Dhoni with 346 in nine games at an average of 43.25 in the IPL. Badrinath and Dhoni tried hard to score big by putting 95 runs for the fifth wicket – a record for this wicket-position in the IPL, eclipsing the 69 (unbroken) between Shane Watson and Ravindra Singh Jadeja for Rajasthan Royals Vs Kings XI Punjab at Jaipur on April 21.

Dhawal Kulkarni became the leading wicket-taker for Mumbai Indians – 11 at 16.00 runs apiece in eight matches. With Chamara Kapugedera dismissed for a duck, Kulkarni created history for most duck victims (6) in IPL. Sohail Tanvir, with three such dismissals, has the next best tally.

Shaun Pollock (4-1-9-1) produced the joint second best economy rate (2.25) in an innings. Mohammad Hafeez had figures of 4-0-8-1 (E.R.2.00) for Kolkata Knight Riders against Deccan Chargers at Kolkata, April 20, while Brett Lee’s figures were 4-0-9-1 (E.R.2.25) for Kings XI Punjab against Mumbai Indians at Mohali, April 25.

Two international heroes, Jayasuriya and Sachin Tendulkar, put on 82 runs for the first wicket – a first wicket record for Mumbai Indians in the competition, eclipsing 46 between Jayasuriya and Vijay Takawale against Delhi Daredevils on May 4.

Jayasuriya looked in rhythm while every bowler looking hapless and hopeless, as he bulldozed the bowler spirit with hammering batting style and finally came up with easy victory for Mumbai Indians.