IPL PHOTOS: Champions Mumbai lose to Delhi for fourth straight defeat

Mumbai Indians' batting once again let their team down as they suffered their fourth straight defeat, losing by six wickets to Delhi Daredevils, in the Indian Premier League in Sharjah, on Sunday.

- Scorecard

Electing to bat first, Mumbai posted a modest 125 for six in their 20 overs but Delhi cruised to victory with seven balls to spare.

Captain Rohit Sharma promoted himself to open the innings but he departed early and was run out for eight by Mohammed Shami in the second over of the innings.

Aditya Tare (8) and Corey Anderson (13) also struggled with the bat as Mumbai were reduced to 39 for three in the seventh over.

Ambati Rayudu also found it hard to get going as he made 14 from 21 balls before holing out left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem to the fielder at long-on.

Veteran Michael Hussey, who failed in his previous three innings as opener, was sent in to bat at No. 5.

But the left-hander continued his poor run with the bat and was bowled by Jaydev Unadkat for 10.

Kieron Pollard lifted Mumbai Indians in the last few overs, hitting a quick 33 from 30 balls, inclusive of two fours and two sixes.

CM Gautam stroked 22 from 18 balls while Harbhajan Singh slammed two sixes in the final over of the innings to take Mumbai to 125 for six in their 20 overs.

Quinton de Kock and Murali Vijay opted to play it safe in the early overs to avoid giving away early wickets against the new ball.

De Kock made 16 before he was brilliantly caught by Hussey at point after he had put on 34 runs for the opening wicket.

Vijay cut loose after a slow start as he hit Anderson for a couple of boundaries in the 11th over before sweeping Pragyan Ojha for a six over midwicket.

However, part-timer Rohit Sharma got the wicket of Vijay, who went for another cross-batted slog but missed and was bowled for 40 from 34 balls.

Lasith Malinga gave Mumbai some late hope with two wickets in the 16th over that of JP Duminy (19) and Dinesh Karthik (2) but captain Kevin Pietersen steered Delhi to victory with an unbeaten innings of 26 from 18 balls.