The master at his best

A batting masterclass from Sachin Tendulkar saw Mumbai Indians rise to the top of the IPL standings with a five-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings at the Brabourne Stadium on Friday.

Tendulkar's 72 was the cornerstone of Mumbai's stiff target of 181 which the hosts overhauled with an over to spare. The master batsman continued with his rich vein of form that saw him post his highest score in T20 cricket as well.

Tendulkar was a calming influence on fellow opener Shikhar Dhawan, who creamed 56 from just 34 balls to power Mumbai's initial burst. Dhawan cracked five fours and three sixes in frenetic pace while Tendulkar expressed himself with splendid control for his 52-ball effort.

By the time Mumbai lost Dhawan and Saurabh Tiwary in quick succession, they were cruising to their total. Chennai bowlers pulled them back in the middle overs, but Tendulkar ensured smooth sailing for the hosts. Dwayne Bravo finished it off with the winning runs as Mumbai recorded their fourth victory, while Chennai were forced to their fourth defeat.

Earlier, half-centuries from Suresh Raina and S Badrinath powered Chennai Super Kings to a healthy 180-2. Raina hammered an unbeaten 83 off 52 balls while Badrinath was 55 not out as the pair added an unbroken 142 runs for the third wicket, the highest third wicket partnership in the IPL, after Mumbai Indians captain Sachin Tendulkar won the toss and asked them to bat.

The visitors were given a typically quick start by Matthew Hayden, but Tendulkar's move to bring on Harbhajan Singh in the fourth over paid off immediately as the off-spinner removed the opener after he had raced to 20. Hayden's decision to change to the Mongoose bat in the middle of his innings didn't work again.

Mumbai struck again next over when Ryan McLaren bowled Parthiv Patel, but the the hosts' bowlers had no luck for the rest of their innings as Raina and Badrinath cashed in. Raina's rapid knock was studded with seven fours and three sixes while Badrinath scored a sedate yet fluent 45-ball 55 that had six fours.

Chennai received a timely boost with the return of captain MS Dhoni, but he hard-hitting batsman didn't get a chance to bat with the visitors losing just two wickets.