Ricky Ponting has claimed a trophy in his very first coaching assignment, his Mumbai Indians scoring a comfortable 41-run victory over Chennai Super Kings to win the Indian Premier League title.
The former Australian captain's expertise helped produce a stunning turnaround for the side, which lost their opening four matches of the season.
Mumbai posted a monster 5-202, which Chennai never looked like chasing down following the early dismissal of Australian veteran Mike Hussey (4), as they struggled to a total of 8-161 on Sunday.
"It's been extremely satisfying. It's been a great couple of months," Ponting said afterwards.
"The last half of the tournament has been terrific.
"We probably played our best game of the tournament today."
Mumbai opener Lendl Simmons set the tone for the match, compiling an impressive 68 off 45 while putting on a 119-run partnership with Rohit Sharma (50 off 26).
Quickfire knocks from Keiron Pollard (36 off 18) and Ambitu Rayudu (36 off 24), who both blasted three sixes each, boosted the total out of Chennai's reach.
"It was important to show character and we've got guys who do that," Sharma said.
"We are a champion side. This victory is the sweetest one.
"We came from nowhere and people writing us off."
New Zealand paceman Mitchell McClenaghan was the pick of Mumbai's bowlers, returning figures of 3-25.
Opener Dwayne Smith (57 off 48) was Chennai's best, while the dismissal of Suresh Raina (28) triggered a collapse of 5-38.
Share
