Ponting's catch set the tone for our victory: Tendulkar

Catches win matches, goes an old cliché and cricketing truism. But great takes also set up victories. That's exactly what Ricky Ponting's catch did for Mumbai Indians against Delhi Daredevils on Tuesday night, according to Sachin Tendulkar, who, in his 24-year international career has seen a great deal of wondrous efforts.

Ricky Ponting dives to dismiss Delhi Daredevils' Unmukt Chand on Tuesday at Wankhede. Pic/BCCI

Referring to Ponting's diving, one-handed effort at extra cover that sent back Unmukt Chand off Harbhajan Singh for a duck, Tendulkar told MID DAY: "It was a brilliant catch. It's something that set the tone for the match. There have been some brilliant catches taken by him barring this one, but I thought his recovery was really good. He slipped. There was a lot of dew and the surface was wet."

Tendulkar was at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday for a practice session ahead of Saturday's battle against Pune Warriors.

Setting the tone
What does a great catch do to the fielding team? "It sets the tone. The other day, I thought (Kieron) Pollard's catch finished the match and this catch (by Ponting) set the tone for our victory," he said.

On Saturday, Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's 51 threatened to take the match away from Mumbai Indians at the Chidambaram Stadium. Twelve runs were required for victory at the start of the final over.

Munaf Patel's task was no enviable one, but he was elaborately briefed by Ponting and Tendulkar before running in to bowl.

As if Dhoni knows how to deal with every situation, he whacks one that is set to go over the ropes at the far end of the ground. But there was Pollard, anticipating his prey to a nicety and then using his outstretched hands to dismiss the big-hitting Dhoni. In many ways, it was match over for the Chennai Super Kings.u00a0