Rajasthan Royals’ entire power-packed performance enabled them to defeat Mumbai Indians by nine wickets at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium. The table toppers checked all the boxes and were clinical with the new ball, which ultimately played a significant part in completing the task. Meanwhile, Mumbai has once again demonstrated a lack of character, and they will need to reconsider their strategy in order to recover.
Batting first, Mumbai were reduced to 20/3, which turned out to be 52/4 thanks to Sandeep Sharma and Trent Boult’s stunning new ball performances. Later on, Yuzvendra Chahal contributed significantly, taking his 200th IPL wicket and becoming the first cricketer in history to do so. Meanwhile, after losing four wickets, Tilak Varma and Nehal Wadhera gave MI some momentum with a 99-run middle-order partnership.
Tilak finally scored 65 runs off 45 deliveries, while Wadhera scored 49 runs from 24 balls. MI dominated the middle overs and was anticipated to score 200 runs, but Sandeep proved too hot to handle, picking up five wickets and scoring 179 runs in the first innings.
When it came to the chase, Rajasthan controlled the game from the start. Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal opened with a 74-run partnership before the youngster took control of the situation and went insane. Jaiswal scored his first century in IPL 2024, and skipper Sanju Samson scored 38 runs as RR cruised to an easy victory.
1. The Rajasthan Royals can’t put their foot wrong.
One of the most difficult aspects of playing in the IPL is consistency. However, Rajasthan is having one of those seasons where they can’t go wrong. Against Mumbai, they took wickets with the new ball in the final overs and dominated the middle overs. The team has gotten off to a great start with the bat thanks to the openers, Jaiswal’s century, and Samson’s crucial runs. There is a reason why Rajasthan is currently the number one team, and that reason is consistency.
2. Sandeep Sharma masterclass.
Sandeep Sharma delivered a masterclass shortly after returning from injury, conceding only 18 runs in four overs while picking up five wickets, both with the new ball and in the death. His return to fitness is a huge boost for Rajasthan, as they will now play a few away games where Sandeep’s expertise would be invaluable.
Also read: IPL 2024: Rajasthan Royals’ 2nd inning Highlights against MI in Match 38
3. Jaisball returns.
When Jaiswal dominates, the bowlers have nothing to work with. He was given lifelines several times as MI had a bad day on the field, but the first priority would be to get some runs behind him and, more importantly, get the job done. The century will enhance Jaiswal’s confidence as he competes for the opening position in the T20 World Cup.
Losing skipper Hardik Pandya said:
We put ourselves in trouble early on. The way Tilak and Nehal batted – that was fantastic. I don’t think that when we lost a couple of wickets early we thought we would even reach 180. We didn’t finish well and that’s why we were 10-15 runs short. We had to keep it within the stumps (while bowling). Early on in the powerplay, we gave a lot of width and I don’t think it was our best day in the field as well. Overall, we did not put the right foot on the park and eventually they outplayed us.
After the game, it’s not the right time to go to the players, everyone is professional, they know their roles. What we can do is learn from this game and the mistakes which we have made, rectify it and make sure that we don’t make it. Progression is very important. Within the team, individually, we will have to accept our flaws and maybe work on those. I don’t believe much in chip and chop, I like to back players and the focus would always be to play good cricket, sticking to our plans and making sure that we don’t make the basic errors. Cricket is simple, as long as we keep it simple, it’s nice.
Winning captain Sanju Samson said:
Credit has to go to all the players. Started well in the powerplay. In the middle, the left-handers played unbelievably. But the way we came back was where we won the game. Wicket looked a bit dry. But when lights come in, gets colder in the night, it gets better to bat in the second innings. People are professional enough about what to do when they get a break. I don’t think he needs (advice from) anyone (Jaiswal). He’s very confident. Was about one game. Let’s see how the wicket is there (Lucknow) and let’s see how it goes.
POTM Sandeep Sharma said:
Got fit day before yesterday only. First game after fitness, feeling good. Pitch was on slower side and lower side, so my plan was to keep bowling variations and cutters. If you’re bowling in the end, you have to have big heart. Have seen in the IPL, bowlers are under the pump. Need to have big heart and keep executing plans. As you know, I went unsold two years ago. Came in as a replacement. So I’m enjoying every game.
India
