The TATA IPL 2026 continues to deliver high-octane action, and the clash between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati was no exception. In a rain-curtailed 11-over contest, Rajasthan Royals extended their winning momentum with a convincing 27-run victory, further strengthening their early dominance this season.
After a delay of over two hours due to rain, Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bowl. However, Rajasthan’s explosive opening pair, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, had other ideas.
Jaiswal set the tone by smashing 22 runs in the opening over off Deepak Chahar, while Sooryavanshi took on Jasprit Bumrah with a fearless first-ball six. The duo stitched together a blistering 80-run partnership in just four overs, dismantling MI’s bowling attack.
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Rajasthan Royals posted a daunting 150/3 in their allotted 11 overs, putting immense pressure on Mumbai from the outset. In response, MI never quite found their rhythm, losing wickets at regular intervals. Naman Dhir and Sherfane Rutherford managed 25 runs each, but the rest of the batting lineup struggled as Mumbai limped to 123/9, marking their second consecutive defeat.
Stick together 👊
Bounce back together 💙 pic.twitter.com/4FwZ39vziT— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 8, 2026
The mood in the Mumbai dressing room reflected the disappointment. Head coach Mahela Jayawardene emphasised the fine margins in T20 cricket, stating that a few better deliveries or crucial hits could have changed the outcome. He urged the team to stay united and learn from the setback. Veteran Kieron Pollard echoed similar sentiments, encouraging players to remain positive and stick together.
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Speaking after the match, Pandya admitted that the bowling unit fell short but reserved special praise for the young Sooryavanshi. He lauded the teenager’s fearless approach, calling his performance “quite fascinating” and wishing him success for the future.
Mumbai Indians will now look to bounce back when they face Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Wankhede Stadium, while Rajasthan Royals aim to continue their impressive run in IPL 2026.
