More misery for Ponting in the IPL

Ricky Ponting’s horror start to his coaching career has continued, with his Mumbai Indians suffering yet another loss in the Indian Premier League.

The side played an out of form Delhi, but it was the Daredevils who snared their chances to break a nine-match winless record at their home ground to record a comfortable 37-run victory.

Mumbai’s skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bowl first in a gamble that quickly backfired.

Delhi opener Shreyas Iyer (83) and South Africa star JP Duminy (78no) combined for a 154-run second wicket stand in what was the highest partnership of this year’s tournament.

Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh were the only Mumbai bowlers to stem the flow of runs for Delhi, with the rest of the Indians’ bowlers treated with disdain as the Daredevils reached 4-190.

In reply, Mumbai’s batsmen struggled from the outset and eventually limped to 153 from their 20 overs.

Many of the Indians got starts, but none were able to consolidate, with Sharma and Rayudu top scoring, each with 30 runs.

Ponting’s fellow Australian, paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile, claimed the key wicket of Sharma for Delhi to finish with 1-36 off his four overs.

The result leaves Ponting with a solitary victory from six games as coach.