Mumbai Indians scored 179/9 in 20 overs, where as Rajasthan Royals scored 183/1 in 18.4 overs.
Rajasthan Royals beat Mumbai Indians by 9 wickets.
Yashasvi Jaiswal showcased brilliance with his unbeaten 104 off 60 deliveries, marking his second IPL century and his second against Mumbai Indians.
His remarkable innings, backed by Sandeep Sharma’s outstanding five-wicket haul, propelled Rajasthan Royals to a commanding victory over a struggling Mumbai Indians at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur.
This win, their seventh of the season, not only handed a significant defeat to the five-time champions but also brought the hosts closer to securing a Playoff berth.
Sandeep Sharma’s return saw him clinch impressive figures of 5 for 18, crucial in limiting Mumbai Indians to a below-par total of 179.
Jaiswal’s stellar performance ensured the successful chase with nine wickets and eight balls to spare, signaling his resurgence after a slow start to the season.
The pivotal moments of the match unfolded during the two Power Plays.
Mumbai Indians, opting to bat first, found themselves struggling at 45/3, courtesy of Trent Boult and Sandeep Sharma’s early blows.
Although they recovered through a resilient 99-run partnership between Tilak Varma and Nehal Wadhera, they failed to accelerate towards the end.
In contrast, Rajasthan Royals’ openers, Jaiswal and Jos Buttler, launched a blistering attack from the outset.
With 61 runs on the board within the Power Play, the hosts maintained control and comfortably sailed towards victory.
The Power Play difference
| MI | RR | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 45/3 | 61/0 |
| Run-Rate | 7.5 | 10.16 |
| 4s/6s | 5 and 1 | 10 and 1 |
Power Play Woes for Mumbai Indians:
In the initial six overs, Mumbai Indians found themselves in familiar early trouble, reminiscent of their previous encounters.
With a score of 45/3, they struggled to establish momentum, registering a run rate of 7.50 with 5 boundaries and 1 six.
Interestingly, in IPL 2024, Mumbai Indians managed to secure 50+ run Power Plays against every team except Rajasthan Royals.
For the second time in this season’s fixture, the Royals struck early, claiming three wickets within the Power Play.
Trent Boult broke the ice with a wicket in the opening over, exploiting Rohit Sharma’s mistimed shot.
Sanju Samson, securing the skier, also initiated the dismissal of Ishan Kishan with a successful review after the latter’s three-ball duck.
Sandeep Sharma, on his return, further rattled Mumbai’s top order by dismissing Surya Kumar Yadav, who chipped a catch to mid-on.
Despite reaching 45/3 in the Power Play, Mumbai Indians stumbled after opting to bat first.
Middle Overs Resurgence for Rajasthan Royals:
In response to Mumbai’s early struggle, Rajasthan Royals’ middle overs witnessed a counter-attack led by Tilak Varma and Nehal Wadhera.
With a phase score of 86/1, they accelerated the run rate to 9.55, hitting 8 boundaries and 3 sixes.
Mumbai Indians strategically promoted Mohammed Nabi to stabilize their innings, and although his 23 off 17 balls contributed, Mumbai faced an uphill battle at 52/4 in the eighth over.
Undeterred, Mumbai paired Varma with Wadhera, opting for a left-hand combination despite R. Ashwin having three overs left.
The duo exhibited a calculated approach, finding boundaries without undue risk.
Varma reached his half-century off 38 balls, while Wadhera’s aggressive 24-ball 49 propelled Mumbai’s recovery.
However, his dismissal to a Trent Boult slower bouncer halted their partnership at 99 runs.
Death Overs Dominance by Rajasthan Royals:
As the match progressed towards its climax, Mumbai Indians faltered in the death overs, scoring 48/5 in the final phase.
With Mumbai at 151/4 after 16 overs, a late surge seemed plausible, but Rajasthan Royals displayed exemplary death bowling.
Avesh, who struggled earlier, conceded just six runs and claimed the wicket of Hardik Pandya in the 19th over.
Sandeep Sharma further intensified Mumbai’s woes in the final over, dismissing Varma and Gerald Coetzee with well-executed scrambled-seam slower balls.
Tim David’s dismissal to a full toss capped off a sensational spell for Sandeep, who ended with figures of 5 for 18, including 13 dot balls.
Mumbai Indians lost 4 wickets for 28 runs in the final four overs, concluding their innings at 179/9.
Another Highlight of the Match:
Yuzvendra Chahal etched his name in IPL history by becoming the first bowler to claim 200 wickets in the tournament.
Achieving this milestone in his 153rd IPL appearance and against the team where he made his league debut added significance to the feat.
Chahal reached the landmark by dismissing Mohammed Nabi, caught and bowled, before sinking to his knees in celebration, pointing two fingers skyward in gratitude.
What’s Next for the Teams?
With a four-day breather, Mumbai Indians gear up for their next encounter against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in a day game scheduled for April 27.
Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals will take the field later that Sunday for an evening clash against the Lucknow Super Giants.
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