Abu Dhabi, October 25: Rajasthan Royals' star all-rounder Ben Stokes slammed a sensational unbeaten century and forged an unbeaten 152-run partnership with Sanju Samson (54*) to help his team beat Mumbai Indians by 8 wickets in match number 45 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 on Sunday (October 25).
Chasing a target of 196, Rajasthan lost two wickets in the powerplay itself but Stokes and Samson batted exceedingly well to keep their team in the hunt and win the match with 10 balls to spare.
James Pattinson was the only Mumbai bowler who had wickets in his column when he dismissed Robin Uthappa (7) and Steve Smith (11) early. But team's opener Stokes carried his bat through with his sensational batting performance. The English all-rounder's memorable innings comprised 14 boundaries and three sixes in his innings. Surprisingly, it was the first game when Stokes hit a maximum in the tournament.
With this win, Royals climbed to the sixth spot with 5 wins and 10 points and kept themselves in the play-offs' race. Royals' win meant Chennai Super Kings were pushed to the bottom of the table.
However, Hardik Pandya's unbeaten blitz of 60 off 21 balls went in vain. The right-handed batsman from Baroda's late flourish helped Mumbai post a huge total of 195/5. Earlier, Mumbai Indians' stand-in captain Kieron Pollard won a toss and elected to bat first. It was after 15 games when Pollard lost a T20 match as a captain.
Mumbai Indians' regular captain Rohit Sharma is missing the tournament due to injury. The management is looking at the next game against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday for the regular skipper to return as that would mean a 10-day break from the day of the injury.
Here are the match updates:
Four and that's the winning shot from Ben Stokes. Rajasthan Royals hammer Mumbai Indians by 8 wickets. Unbeaten 152-run stand between Stokes (107*) and Sanju Samson (54*) ensures two crucial points for the Royals.
SIX!!!! BEN STOKES BRINGS UP his CENTURY WITH A MAXIMUM. He took just 59 deliveries to reach.
Just four runs came from that over bowled by Boult! RR - 186/2 after 18 overs. They need 10 from 12 balls.
RR need 14 from 18 deliveries.
Four! Top-edge from Ben Stokes and the ball races towards third man boundary. Bumrah finishes with 4-0-38-0. RR - 182/2. Stokes batting on 95*
Pollard brings Bumrah in the 17th over, MI desperately need to break this partnership.
Rajasthan Royals reach 172/2 after 16 overs. They need 24 off as many deliveries.
Four! Boult bowls towards Stokes' leg-stumps and the batsman flicks it towards fine leg boundary.
Four! Ben Stokes gets a thick edge of Boult and gets a boundary towards third man. He's in great touch tonight.
Fifty! Sanju Samson brings up his half-century off 27 deliveries. His third of the season, 13th overall. RR - 157/2 in 15 overs.
Four! Another boundary from Samson off Bumrah towards fine leg.
Four! Sanju Samson gets a boundary off Bumrah and reaches 45*
1,1,6,1,4,6! 19 runs came from that Rahul Chahar over as Sanju Samson and Ben Stokes bring up century stand. RR - 144/2 after 14 overs.
Four! Samson ends Pattinson's over with a boundary. RR - 125/2 in 13 overs.
SIX!! Sanju Samson hits James Pattinson over long-off for a maximum.
After 11 overs, Rajasthan reach 104/2.
FIFTY!! Ben Stokes brings up a fiery half-century off 28 deliveries.
SIX!! Sanju Samson also joins the party as he hits Pollard over covers for a maximum.
SIX!! That's a biggie from Ben Stokes as he heaves Rahul Chahar over mid-wicket for a maximum.
Ben Stokes gets a couple of boundaries in Krunal Pandya's first over and RR reach 55/2 after 6 overs. Stokes is looking in sublime touch.
Wicket! James Pattinson castles Steve Smith's stumps and dismisses RR skipper for 11. Inside edge from Smith and he departs. RR - 44/2
SIX!! Full-pitched delivery bowled by Bumrah towards Steve Smith's leg stumps and he pulls it for a maximum towards mid-wicket.
Four! Brilliant shot towards cover from Steve Smith and he gets a boundary off Bumrah's first delivery.
0,4,0,4,4,4! Ben Stokes scores 16 runs from Trent Boult's over. All the shots oozed class. RR - 29/1 after 3 overs.
Wicket! Robin Uthappa (13) gives a simple catch to Kieron Pollard at mid-on. RR lose their first wicket for 13 in 1.5 overs.
Robin Uthappa gets a couple of boundaries off Pattinson.
2nd innings! Rajasthan Royals begin their run chase of 196. Robin Uthappa and Ben Stokes open innings for RR. Trent Boult will bowl the first over for MI.
Hardik Pandya in his first nine balls: 1, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 Hardik Pandya since then: 6, 1, 6, 6, 6, 0, 1, 6, 4, 4, 6, 6 He ends on a 21-ball 60*.
6,4,4,6,6!! Another helicopter shot from Hardik Pandya on the final ball of the over 20th over. MI post 195/5 against RR.
6,4,4,6,6!! Another helicopter shot from Hardik Pandya on the final ball of the over 20th over. MI post 195/5 against RR.