Bengaluru, Oct. 5: Defending champions Mumbai Indians notched up a massive 8-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
With a cluster of teams fighting it out for the last available playoff berth, Rohit Sharma's side ticked all the boxes as they handed the Royals a crushing loss. The big win also helped better Mumbai Indians' net runrate to give them a better chance to qualify.
The defending champions made a couple of changes and it worked beautifully for the Mumbai dugout. After electing to bowl, Mumbai restricted the Sanju Samson-led Royals to their lowest target this season.
The Royals openers started off on a strong note, with Nathan Coulter-Nile removing the dangerous Yashavi Jaiswal for 12 off 9. After Jasprit Bumrah removed Evin Lewis for 24 off 19, the Royals crumbled like a pack of cards.
Coulter-Nile picked up four wickets with Jimmy Neesham coming into the team and impressing right from the onset with a three-wicket haul. Bumrah pocketed two as Mumbai restricted Royals to their third lowest IPL score, and also the lowest score for a team batting first in Sharjah.
In reply, Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma handed the defending champions a flying start. Rohit's 13-ball 22 cameo set the defending champions oncourse, before Ishan Kishan returned to form with a stellar half-century.
Having struggled this season, the youngster struck a wonderful unbeaten half century off just 25 deliveries. Kishan brought up his half-century and also Mumbai's win with a massive six. The defending champions chased down the paltry total with 70 balls to spare.
Despite the crushing loss in Sharjah, the Royals are still just about alive in the playoffs race, though by a far off chance. Mumbai Indians are up to fifth on the points table, just below the Kolkata Knight Riders who have a better net runrate. Royals have slipped to seventh on the points table.
Here's how the Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians IPL played out:
That's the end of another thrilling day of the tournament. Despite a crushing loss the Rajasthan Royals still have a chance to qualify, but a far off one. On the other hand, Mumbai Indians, showed their champion side today as they moved up to fifth spot on the points table, placed just below KKR.
SIX!! Ishan Kishan brings up Mumbai Indians victory and also his half century! A stellar innings by the youngster as Mumbai Indians notch up a crushing 8-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals.
FOUR! Comfortable for Kishan as he welcomes back Mustafizur with a boundary
A single to finish. Just 7 needed to notch up a massive win for the defending champions
SIX!! Back-to-back maximums!! Ishan Kishan bouncing back with a stellar innings for Mumbai tonight. Just 8 needed off 73 to win!!
And Ishan Kishan capitalises on the opportunity as he whacks it into the stands over deep square leg
Another no ball from Sakariya!
The no ball signal goes off. Ishan Kishan on strike.
The no ball signal goes off. Ishan Kishan on strike. Two runs come off it.
Another stellar save from Phillips as he saves a couple again
Hardik Pandya off the mark with a single
Two stellar performances tonight:
Neesham and Ishan Kishan have been inspired selections by #MI for tonight’s match
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 5, 2021
Powerplay done: Mumbai Indians lose two wickets in the first six over but stay on course for a comfortable win.
WICKET!! Mustafizur removes Suryakumar on the very next delivery. SKY caught at mid off by sub Lomror. Suryakumar goes for 13 off 8. Hardik Pandya the new man in
FOUR!! Suryakumar lofts this over point for the first boundary of the over.
Good effort by Phillips at the boundary ropes. Saves a single as three runs come off the first ball of the over
13 runs off Kuldip Yadav's first over. Mustafizur back into the attack
FOUR!! Suryakumar Yadav joins the party as he sends it past third man.
FOUR! Kishan keeps the boundaries flowing as he pulls it to fine leg. After missing out a few, the youngsters coming to the party at a crucial time.
FOUR! Ishan Kishan welcomes debutant Kuldip Yadav with a boundary
Despite losing skipper Rohit Sharma, 12 runs come off the over for MI. Mumbai Indians: 35/1 in 4 overs
FOUR!! Ishan Kishan beats cover for his first boundary tonight
FOUR!! Suryakumar Yadav straightaway gets off the mark with a boundary
WICKET!! Sakariya picks up the big wicket of Rohit Sharma! Jaiswal takes a comfortable catch at cover. MI lose their first.
Milestone: Rohit Sharma hit his 400th T20 six in the previos over.
9 runs off Gopal's first over. MI: 23/0 after three overs
Ishan Kishan gets off the mark with a single.
Big miss! Skipper Sanju Samson drops Rohit and a frustrated Samson knows he's dropped the big one.
SIX!!! Rohit keeps the boundaries flowing. The skipper sweeps this over fine leg for his second maximum tonight
Shreyas Gopal comes into the attack