Mumbai Indians cash in on Rajasthan Royals' set batsman's dismissal to win by eight runs at Wankhede
Sanju Samson
Riding on Mitchell McClenaghan’s 3-31, seventh-placed Mumbai Indians stunned Rajasthan Royals, placed second in the Indian Premier League table, by eight runs at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday.
Rajasthan Royals’ Sanju Samson executes a stroke against Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League at Wankhede Stadium yesterday. Pic/Suresh KK
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Having posted 187-5, MI could have enjoyed success in the first over itself had Jagadeesha Suchith not dropped a sitter at square leg to give in-form Orange Cap holder Ajinkya Rahane another chance. However, the RR opener did not capitalise on his second life and was soon dismissed.
Suchith strikes
RR skipper Shane Watson and Sanju Samson were successful in scoring more than six runs an over frequently. Looking to cut the ball, Watson (28) was finally scalped by Suchith.
Samson, who top scored for Rajasthan with 76 runs, and Steven Smith timed the chase well. Rather than playing any dazzling shots, the duo concentrated on scoring at least 10 to 11 runs in an over. McClenaghan finally broke the 56-run stand for the third wicket as Smith holed out to Harbhajan Singh for 23.
Samson opened up his array of shots, scoring 26 in 11 balls before being caught by Suchith at long off. McClenaghan then dismissed Karun Nair on the next ball and Malinga got rid of Deepak Hooda to put Rajasthan Royals’ chase in jeopardy.
Needing 20 off the last over, R Vinay Kumar conceded only 11 runs and effected a run out to restrict RR to 179-7 in 20 overs.
Earlier, Mumbai Indians were helped by Ambati Rayudu’s 27-ball 53 (4x4s and 3x6s) and Kieron Pollard’s 24 to post a competitive total.
Deep trouble
Put into bat, MI were in deep trouble when the hosts lost skipper Rohit Sharma for 27 with the score reading 120-4 in 14.5 overs. However, Rayudu and Pollard stitched a 61-run fifth wicket partnership to negate the early damage done by RR.
Lendl Simmons (38) made the most of his second chance after being dropped by RR wicketkeeper Samson on the second ball of the innings off Tim Southee to help MI post a sizeable score on the board.
Brief scores
Mumbai Indians: 187-5 in 20 overs (A Rayudu 53*, L Simmons 38; D Kulkarni 2-26) beat Rajasthan Royals: 179-7 in 20 overs (S Samson 76, S Watson 28; M McClenaghan 3-31) by eight runs
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