Finch 67* takes Gujarat to third straight win

Aaron Finch's unbeaten 67 off 54 balls helped Gujarat overcome a middle-order wobble and chase down 144 against Mumbai to achieve their third win on the trot. Finch, who made his third successive fifty while chasing, fought through cramps in his calf to help Gujarat consolidate their position at the top of the points table.

Gujarat dominated through most part of the match, restricting the hosts to 143. Despite losing Brendon McCullum early, Gujarat's chase was driven by Finch - who smacked seven fours and one six in his innings. Gujarat captain Suresh Raina struggled through his innings of 27, as the asking rate began to rise in the middle overs. Mumbai fought back in the end when Mitchell McClenaghan struck twice in the 19th over and gave away just two runs as the equation boiled down to 11 required off the last over. Dhawal Kulkarni hit a four over extra cover off the third ball, to take some pressure off Gujarat, and later, with one required off the last ball, Finch pulled the through mid wicket for four.

Kulkarni led the way for Gujarat with the ball, picking up two wickets in successive overs - including that of Rohit Sharma in the second over - to produce returns of 2 for 19. Mumbai's fiery middle order struggled for momentum, but late cameos from Krunal Pandya and Tim Southee helped them reach 143.

"Started to cramp in my calf, think it was just cramp. Feel good, feel like I'm batting nicely. Want to continue. It was nice to finally get us home over the line. Last three games I got us into a reasonably position to win the game. I try to take it upon myself to bat right through," Finch said after picking up his third successive Man-of-the-Match award.

"Having batted for 20 overs and playing around the world, I can probably stay calmer than a No. 9 but Kulkarni hit that four through mid-off and took the pressure off me. With the ball too he was outstanding along with Praveen. They took us for a few runs in the end overs, but that would have always happened."