Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson took two key wickets as his Mumbai Indians won a corruption-stained IPL tournament.
Johnson’s Mumbai downed Mike Hussey’s Chennai Super Kings by 23 runs in the Eden Gardens decider, as corruption investigations into the IPL continue.
The Super Kings entered the final reeling from the arrest of their top official, the son-in-law of Indian cricket’s highest office holder, for corruption two days ago.
The Chennai outfit were set 149 runs to win the final but crumbled to 125 all out with left-arm paceman Johnson taking 2-19 from his four overs.
Hussey made just one, bowled by a Lasith Malinga swinger, as the Super Kings lost their third IPL final – including the past two of a tournament scarred by spot-fixing scandals.
The final was played in the aftermath of Saturday’s arrest of Super Kings official Guranath Meiyappan on charges of forgery, cheating and fraud.
Guranath is the son-in-law of Board of Control for Cricket in India president N Srinivasan.
Guranath has been dobbed in by a small-time actor arrested for alleged links with bookies suspected of spot-fixing IPL games.
The actor, Vindoo Dara Singh, allegedly told police he placed bets on behalf of Guranath.
But BCCI heavyweight Srinivasan said he had no knowledge of his son-in-law’s alleged crimes.
The arrest follows three other IPL players being arrested amid a widening spot-fixing scandal which overshadowed on-field feats.
Mumbai’s turbulent season included their captain and Australian great Ricky Ponting dropping himself from the side due to poor form.
But it ended with the franchise’s first trophy, delivered by West Indian import Kieron Pollard.
Pollard smashed 60 runs from 32 balls, including seven fours and three sixes and lifted Mumbai to 9-148, with his compatriot Dwayne Bravo taking 4-42 for the Super Kings.
But the Super Kings’ run chase started disastrously with Hussey clean bowled second ball by Malinga and Suresh Raina out next ball for a duck.
The writing was on the wall when Johnson had S Badrinath caught next over, also for a duck, to leave the Kings reeling at 3-3.
Bravo sparked a mini fightback before Johnson caught him off Rishi Dhawan’s bowling for 15 to leave the Kings in deep trouble at 4-35, with the Australian soon claiming another victim.
Mumbai won comfortably, even with Sachin Tendulkar missing with a wrist injury. Post-game, Tendulkar said he would not play in the IPL again.