During the 21st match of the 11th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at Jaipur, Rajasthan Royals beat Mumbai Indians by 3 wickets in a cliffhanger to complete the second such match of the Super Sunday.
After Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat, his team scored 167-7 in their allotted quota of 20 overs. The total, despite being a decent one, was less than what the Indians would have expected because of the fact that Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan had stitched a 129-run partnership for the second wicket.
In reply, Rajasthan Royals lost its openers cheaply. It was a 72-run partnership between Sanju Samson and Ben Stokes which brought them back into the match. Post Jasprit Bumrah’s game-changing over, their chances of winning the match appeared bleak. Having said that, Krishnappa Gowtham happened for the team as they registered their second win of the season.
Now, we will look at the hits and flops players in this match.
Hits
Suryakumar Yadav (MI) – Opening the batting alongside Evin Lewis, Suryakumar Yadav saw his opening partner being dismissed on a golden duck in the first over itself. The dismissal didn’t affect Yadav in any which ways as he ended up scoring his third IPL half-century, 72 (47), with the help of six fours and three sixes. He was the highest run-scorer for his team.
Jofra Archer (RR) – Jofra Archer left no stone unturned in making his IPL debut a special one. Speed and accuracy were at the helm whilst he bowled against the Indians. Adjourned as the ‘Man of the Match’, he ended up with bowling figures of 4-0-22-3.
Krishnappa Gowtham (RR) – There comes a day in every player’s life after which he is recognised by one and all. Despite all that which Krishnappa Gowtham has done in his career so far, this for undoubtedly his ‘big day’. When he came in to bat in the 18th over, Rajasthan Royals required 43 runs off 17 balls. He ended up scoring 33* (11) with the help of four fours and two sixes in a match-winning knock.
Flops
Rohit Sharma (MI) – Rohit Sharma, captain of Mumbai Indians, demoted himself to No. 5 in the batting order today. When he came in to bat, 28 balls were left in the innings on which he could make a significant impact. That being said, he attempted a suicidal run on the first and the only ball that he faced.
Ajinkya Rahane (RR) – Ajinkya Rahane, captain of Rajasthan Royals, failed to make a contribution in the run-chase tonight. A 168-run chase was the most apt situation for him to play his natural game and make the batting revolve around him. He never really found his touch and ended up scoring 14 (17) with the help of one four.
Mitchell McClenaghan (MI) – Opening the bowling for the Indians, Mitchell McClenaghan picked up the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane in the last over of the powerplay. Having said that, McClenaghan was found wanting otherwise. In a 168-run chase, it was crucial for a strike bowler like him to fire. His bowling figures of 3-0-32-1 depicts a different story altogether.
