Kings XI ride on Marsh's innings to beat Mumbai Indians

Mumbai, April 22 (IANS) Kings XI got their Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign back on track as Shaun Marsh struck an unbeaten 68 to guide them to a convincing six-wicket win over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium here Sunday.

For Mumbai Indians, the return of Sachin Tendulkar, who missed four matches since the inaugural game against Chennai Super Kings, didn't bring much luck as they suffered their second consecutive loss and are now sixth with six points from as many matches.

The much-needed win for Kings XI came after they suffered two consecutive losses and they are are now seventh with six points from seven matches.

Opting to bat first, Mumbai Indians, thanks to New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin's 51-ball 79, scored a par 163 for six in 20 overs.

In reply, the Kings XI, sans skipper Adam Gilchrist, top order fired together and Marsh remained unbeaten on 68 to take them home with three balls to spare. Gilchrist missed his second consecutive match in the IPL and his compatriot David Hussey was in charge.

Nitin Saini (30) and Mandeep Singh (24) gave the Kings a good start with their 48-run stand. Marsh and his Australian team mate Hussey (21) took the team to the threshold of a win with their 58-run stand.

Marsh struck five fours and three sixes in his matured knock that gave Kings XI their third win the season.

For Mumbai Indians, West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard was the pick of the bowlers, bagging two for 14 while left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha got two for 28.

Earlier, with Tendulkar back in the side, Mumbai Indians skipper Harbhajan Singh opted to bat first. Tendulkar and James Franklin (79) gave the Champions League winners a stable start with their 51-run stand. But Tendulkar was dismissed in the ninth over after being run out while attempting a double.

Rohit Sharma (2) also followed the batting maestro to the pavillion soon but Franklin and Dinesh Karthik (35) added a valuable 72 runs for the third wicket that took Mumbai Indians to a competitve total. Franklin hit six fours and four sixes in his whirlwind knock.