Mumbai Indians delivered a dominant all-round display to register a massive 100-run win over Rajasthan Royals at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. In what was a must-win match for RR, the defeat confirmed their elimination from the playoff race, making them the second team after CSK to bow out of contention this season.
With yet another dominant performance, MI notched up their sixth consecutive win and stormed to the top of the IPL standings.
While chasing a target of 218, Rajasthan suffered an early blow as last-match centurion Vaibhav Suryavanshi was dismissed for a duck by Deepak Chahar in the very first over. Yashasvi Jaiswal hit two sixes in the second over but was clean bowled by Trent Boult after scoring 13 off 6 balls.
Nitish Rana managed just 9 runs, and captain Riyan Parag fell for 16 off 8 balls. Impact substitute Shubham Dubey added only 15 off 9. With no batter able to build a substantial innings, Rajasthan were bundled out for just 117 in 16.1 overs.
Rohit, Surya, and Hardik power MI to 217
Batting first after losing the toss, Mumbai Indians put up a mammoth total of 217/2 against Rajasthan Royals, thanks to strong performances from their top and middle order. Half-centuries by Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton, followed by blistering knocks from Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, powered MI to a massive score.
Rohit and Rickelton lay the foundation
Openers Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton gave MI a perfect start with a 116-run stand for the first wicket. Rohit Sharma scored a fluent 53 off 36 balls, hitting 9 boundaries.
Ryan Rickelton contributed 61 off 38 balls before being dismissed by Mahesh Theekshana. Soon after, Rohit was dismissed by Riyan Parag, but the foundation was already set for a big total.
Explosive Finish from Surya and Hardik
With wickets in hand, MI’s finishing duo took charge. Suryakumar Yadav remained unbeaten on 48 off just 23 balls, smashing 7 fours and 3 sixes. Hardik Pandya, too, stayed unbeaten on 48 off 23 balls, with 6 boundaries and 1 six.
Their aggressive partnership ensured MI crossed the 200-run mark with ease.
Mahesh Theekshana and Riyan Parag took a wicket each, but the rest of the bowling unit struggled to contain MI’s batters.
Playing XIs
Mumbai Indians: Ryan Rickelton (wk), Rohit Sharma, Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Naman Dheer, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah.
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Mahesh Theekshana, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
