Dive into the details of RR’s dominant 9-wicket victory over MI in a clinical performance. Explore comprehensive match reports and analysis.
Welcome to Match 38 of the 2024 IPL season, marking the commencement of the in-bound leg of this thrilling 74-match tournament. Leading the charge are the Rajasthan Royals, boasting an impressive six wins out of seven encounters. However, hot on their heels are the Mumbai Indians, who have clinched three victories in their last four matches, including a dramatic triumph over the Punjab Kings in a recent nail-biter.
See also: Mumbai Indians Takes on Rajasthan Royals in a Nail-Biting IPL 2024 Clash
We bid farewell to the Jaipur leg of the tournament, wondering if the hosts can sign off in style. The stage is set for another riveting encounter—let the games begin!
Brief Discussion:
Sandeep Sharma marked his return from injury with an extraordinary bowling performance, claiming figures of 5 for 18, the best by any bowler in this season’s IPL. His stellar display set the stage for Yashasvi Jaiswal’s magnificent comeback, as he blazed to a sparkling century off just 59 balls. Rajasthan Royals, propelled by Jaiswal’s heroics, secured their seventh win in eight matches, reaffirming their position atop the table.
Chasing a target of 180, Rajasthan’s innings gained momentum with a scintillating 99-run partnership between Tilak Varma and Nehal Wadhera for the fifth wicket. However, it was Jaiswal’s sensational knock that sealed the victory. He initially had 31 runs off 18 balls before a rain delay, but returned with renewed vigor to notch an unbeaten 104 off 60 deliveries.
Jaiswal formed crucial partnerships with Jos Buttler, who contributed 35 runs, and Sanju Samson, adding 74 runs and 109 runs respectively. Mumbai Indians’ hopes dwindled further when Samson was dropped on 19 by Tim David, and Jaiswal himself received a reprieve on 50 when Wadhera dropped a catch at deep cover.
Despite the stellar performances of their key bowlers, Mumbai’s strategy faltered. Gerald Coetzee, after an impressive start, was underutilized, and Jasprit Bumrah’s return to the attack came too late in the chase. Bumrah’s over, marred by a first-ball no-ball and a second-ball wide, allowed Jaiswal to capitalize, resulting in a costly 16-run over, his most expensive of the season.
Trent Boult Strikes Early:
Trent Boult strikes once more, needing just five deliveries this time to make an impact. He delivers a full-length ball, shaping it in towards the stumps, and Rohit Sharma swings big! The ball soars skyward, and amidst the chaos, Samson manages to cling onto a tumbling catch. Rajasthan Royals draw first blood!
And can you believe it? This scenario seems oddly familiar. Last time Rajasthan faced Mumbai, it was Boult who dismissed Rohit on the fifth ball, with Samson completing the catch. Seems like history is repeating itself on the cricketing stage!
Both the MI Openers Back:
Mumbai’s woes deepen with a disastrous start, losing both openers within just nine deliveries! Sandeep Sharma, exploiting the swing, pitches it full. Ishan Kishan, enticed by the width, takes a hefty swing, but the ball kisses the edge, settling into Samson’s gloves. His confident appeal is vindicated, amplifying Rajasthan’s jubilation. The early breakthroughs underscore Mumbai’s vulnerability, setting a precarious tone for their innings.
Carelessness from SKY:
Suryakumar Yadav’s lapse in judgment proves costly as he carelessly flicks at Sandeep Sharma’s scrambled-seam delivery. Even before the ball finds Rovman Powell’s waiting hands at midwicket, Yadav wears an expression of regret, acknowledging his mistake. Moments earlier, he had showcased glimpses of his sublime form, particularly in Trent Boult’s over, where he dispatched two boundaries, including an elegant dab through deep third. However, his departure signifies a premature end to Mumbai’s powerplay dominance, leaving them grappling with a mounting challenge early in the innings.
Rare Milestone for Yuzvendra Chahal:
Yuzvendra Chahal continues to etch his name in the annals of IPL history with yet another first-over breakthrough for Rajasthan. His third delivery grips the pitch perfectly, catching Mohammad Nabi off guard as he closes the face on the front foot. The ball simply lobs back into Chahal’s waiting hands, marking a significant milestone – his 200th IPL wicket. Since his IPL debut in 2013, Chahal has been a stalwart on the cricketing circuit, and his dismissal of Nabi at 23 underscores his prowess and consistency. With Mumbai facing early adversity, it’s time for a strategic timeout to regroup. Chahal’s achievement is further highlighted by the rarity of such milestones in T20 cricket
Good Show from Middle Orders:
The current tempo seems rather subdued compared to the exhilarating scoring rates witnessed elsewhere in the tournament, leading one to wonder if we’ve been spoiled by such extraordinary displays. R Ashwin, despite maintaining a tight line, remains wicketless yet again, adding just one scalp to his tally in the entire tournament so far. Meanwhile, Tilak Varma and Nehal Wadhera are diligently reconstructing the innings, forging a steady partnership of 68 runs in just 41 balls. However, just as the momentum appears to plateau, Wadhera injects a burst of energy with a breathtaking one-handed six over long-on off Avesh, signaling a subtle shift in tempo.
Tilak Varma and Nehal Wadhera Carrying MI’s Hope:
Tilak Varma showcases his prowess with a smoking sweep over midwicket, notching up his fifty from a composed 38 balls. At a mere 21 years and 166 balls, he joins an elite club as the third-youngest player to reach 1000 IPL runs. Moments later, Varma survives a close lbw call on a reverse-sweep to Chahal, the decision overturned upon review. The batters jubilantly embrace, and Nehal Wadhera ignites the celebrations with two authoritative sixes in a pivotal over. With the score ticking past 150, Mumbai finds themselves firmly back in contention.
The partnership between Tilak Varma and Nehal Wadhera reaches a crescendo at 99 runs, but it’s a bittersweet moment as Wadhera falls agonizingly short of his fifty. Attempting an audacious uppercut to bring up his milestone, he falls victim to Trent Boult’s cunning slower short ball, the chance comfortably pouched by Sandeep at backward point. With Wadhera’s departure, the stage is set for Hardik Pandya to take up the reins and propel Mumbai’s innings forward.
RR Bowlers Bounced Back:
A timely breakthrough for Avesh Khan as he delivers a full and straight delivery, catching Hardik Pandya shuffling to the off-side, and striking him plumb in front with a fast full-toss. Mumbai’s skipper departs after a run-a-ball 10, paving the way for Tim David to showcase his power-hitting prowess with just ten balls remaining in the innings.
However, Avesh continues to apply the brakes on Mumbai’s charge with a stellar over, conceding just six runs by hitting the perfect lengths. The tide turns further in Rajasthan’s favor as Tilak Varma holes out to deep mid-on off the first ball of Sandeep’s final over. Gerald Coetzee follows suit, picking out Shimron Hetmyer with his first delivery, leaving David stranded at the crease.
Sandeep Sharma’s 5 Wicket Haul:
As the final over unfolds, Rajasthan tightens their grip on the game. Tim David, desperate to regain strike, finds himself thwarted by the bowlers. His attempted swings result in a miscue and a subsequent catch at deep midwicket. Sandeep closes out the innings with minimal damage, securing astonishing figures of 5 for 18, marking the best performance by an Indian bowler for the Royals, especially on his return from injury. The home team beams with satisfaction as they restrict Mumbai to 179 for 9, conceding just nine runs in the final two overs, setting the stage for an enthralling chase.
Pandya’s Poor Leadership Continues:
Hardik Pandya’s width gets punished by Jos Buttler, riding high from his IPL career-defining innings. Buttler smacks two boundaries through covers, kickstarting the chase. Jasprit Bumrah tightens the screws, allowing only two singles, one capitalized on a misfield, posing a trickier challenge.
Gerald Coetzee’s first over to Yashasvi Jaiswal is nothing short of captivating. Jaiswal kickstarts with three boundaries, but the second ball leaves him clueless as he elegantly dispatches it for a languid six down the ground. However, Coetzee quickly adjusts, unleashing a blistering 150kph delivery that nearly decapitates the keeper. Jaiswal’s defensive pull results in a top-edge over the keeper’s head before concluding with a measured punch through covers. Exciting start!
Powerful Powerplay:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, despite a lackluster campaign, finds himself gradually regaining form, spurred on by the ominous presence of Jos Buttler at the crease. Their partnership propels Rajasthan to an impressive 61 for 0 within the powerplay, marking their best start of the season.
Jasprit Bumrah, though menacing, concedes boundaries in his second over, followed by Thushara’s over, which gets punished for four fours, including a last-ball fumble by Hardik in the covers, epitomizing Mumbai’s shaky start.
Just as a strategic timeout is called, rain interrupts play, extending the break. With the par score standing at 41, Rajasthan firmly dominates proceedings.
Yashasvi Jaiswal Turn the Table:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, riding high from a stellar Test series in England, notches his maiden IPL half-century in a brisk 31 balls. His teammates acknowledge his significance to the team, despite their current top-of-the-table position. Jaiswal’s luck seems to have turned, as he capitalizes on a Chawla delivery, lofting a leading-edge six over wide long-off, aided by a fielding mishap from Wadhera.
Mumbai’s last hope, Jasprit Bumrah, takes the ball for his third over, but it turns out to be his costliest of the tournament so far. Starting with a front-foot no-ball, he compounds the issue with a wide for height. Jaiswal capitalizes on the ensuing free hit, dispatching it for a six over midwicket, adding 16 runs to Mumbai’s woes. Gerald Coetzee replaces him, a puzzling decision considering his earlier impact.
Conclusion: RR’s dominant 9-wicket victory over MI
Rajasthan Royals delivered a clinical performance, overpowering Mumbai Indians with a commanding nine-wicket victory. Their dominant display underscored their superiority as they outclassed their opponents in every aspect of the game. With a resolute batting performance and a disciplined bowling effort, Rajasthan secured a convincing win, further solidifying their position in the tournament. This emphatic triumph serves as a statement of intent, signaling Rajasthan’s determination to continue their winning momentum in the IPL.
