Mumbai Indians batting first at the Wankhede Stadium, managed to muster a below-par total of 168/6 after they started brilliantly. Both MI and Rajasthan Royals cannot afford to lose this match as it may result in their ouster from the playoffs race. RR bowlers controlled the middle part of the innings well and despite Hardik and Cutting, the total reached only 168.

Earlier in the night, it was erstwhile home-boy Ajinkya Rahane who won the toss and chose to field first. Rajasthan made two changes in their playing XI as they brought in local pace bowler Dhawal Kulkarni and the Australian opener D’Arcy Short. Mumbai Indians went unchanged in the big game.

The start from Mumbai Indians was the one that we are used to it by now. Surya Kumar Yadav, who is in smashing form this season, played another beautiful inning. This time, his fellow West Indian opener Evin Lewis also joined the feast and scored well.

The opening partnership accounted for 87 runs in the first 64 balls. Surya was the first to get out for 38(31). He was caught at the deep square leg by Unadkat on the bowling off Jofra Archer. Rohit Sharma, who came out to bat at the number 3, provided the action replay and got out in exactly the same way on the next ball.

From there, Mumbai’s innings went downhill. Ishan Kishan, Krunal Pandya and Hardik Pandya all struggled to time the ball and the scoring rate took the hit. It was only in the last two overs that Hardik Pandya and Ben CUtting managed to hit a few big shots. The duo added 37 runs in the last 19 balls. RR needs 169 runs to win.