The Mumbai Indians (MI) locked horns with Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. After winning the toss, the RR skipper, Ajinya Rahane asked the hosts to bat first citing the batting-friendly conditions. However, the hosts started their innings brilliantly still failed to win the game after scoring 180+.
During the toss, the MI skipper, Rohit revealed that they have made just one change as Siddhesh Lad made way for him in the squad. On the other hand, RR made a couple of changes to their squad as Ben Stokes and Riyan Parag made way for Liam Livingston and Krishnappa Gowtham.
WATCH – Rohit Sharma’s Gully Cricket Skills Saved Him From Stumping
Rohit and De Kock amassed as many as 57 runs in the first six overs without losing a wicket which gave Mumbai the much-needed momentum. For the opening wicket, they both added as many as 97 runs in 11 overs. However, during the partnership, in the 10th over of the innings, Rohit’s gully cricket skills left fans as well as the players on the ground amused.
After Rohit’s dismissal, Surya Kumar Yadav came and he was dismissed in the 14th over followed by Kieron Pollard, who was dismissed early by Jofra Archer in the 17th over owing to a brilliant running catch by Shreyas Gopal. After Pollard going back to the pavilion, De Kock carried forward the momentum as he scored a fifty before getting out in the 19th over and again the bowler was Archer. In the same over, Hardik Pandya smashed a six on the last ball with the Helicopter shot.
WATCH – Hardik Pandya’s Helicopter Shocks Jofra Archer
Hardik’s fireworks late in the innings, helped MI to reach a total of 187/5 in their quota of 20 overs.
Buttler’s knock
During the chase, the RR openers, Buttler and Rahane added as many as 60 runs for the opening wicket before the latter getting out in the 7th over by Krunal Pandya. After his dismissal, Buttler carried forward the momentum along with Sanju Samson as they added 87 runs for the 2nd wicket before Buttler getting out in the 14th over. However, in the 13th over bowled by Alzarri Joseph, Buttler smashed as many as 28 runs with the help of two sixes and 4 fours.
WATCH – Buttler Takes A Brilliant Catch To Send Back Quinton de Kock
After Buttler’s dismissal, Rajasthan was in a spot of bother as they lost 5 wickets in next 27 runs. RR needed just 6 runs in the final over with Shreyas Gopal and Gowtham batting at the crease. However, on the third ball of the over Gopal smashed Hardik for a boundary to take the visitors over the line with 4 wickets in the hand and three balls to spare.
Brief Score:
Rajasthan Royals – 188/6 in 19.3 overs (J Buttler: 89, A Rahane: 39; K Pandya: 3/34) defeated Mumbai Indians – 187/5 in 20 overs (Q de Kock: 81; J Archer: 3/39, J Unadkat: 1/36) by 4 wickets and three balls to spare
