IPL: Rajasthan Defeated Mumbai Indians a One-sided Encounter

On Monday, Mumbai batted first at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The team scored 125 runs at the loss of 9 wickets in 20 overs. Trent Boult and Yuzvendra Chahal took 3-3 wickets. Tilak Verma scored 32 runs and Hardik Pandya scored 34 runs from Mumbai.

Rajasthan achieved the target of 126 runs in 15.3 overs. Riyan Parag scored a fifty from the team, he remained not out after scoring 54 runs. Akash Madhwal took maximum 3 wickets for Mumbai.

Rajasthan Make It Three-in-Three

Wankhede witnessed an emphatic victory for the boys in pink, and this win came away from home, which tasted even sweeter. The bowlers set it up for the Rajasthan Royals and the middle order batsman Riyan Parag continued his form to take them over the line with ease. With only 126 runs as the target, it was an easy game for Rajasthan. They lost the opener Yashavsi Jaiswal early but the skipper Sanju Samson got a couple of boundaries away along with Jos Buttler to ease off a little pressure. Ravichandran Ashwin got together with Riyan Parag as the match progressed and built a crucial partnership. Ashwin got out on 16 but Riyan held his composure and saw his side home with yet another fifty alongside the debutant, Shubham Dubey.

Third Defeat under Hardik Pandya’s Captaincy

This was consecutively the third defeat for Hardik Pandya’s Mumbai Indians. And this start was far from what they had imagined. Mumbai have had a huge defeat in their 250th Indian T20 League game and need to pick themselves up in the points table soon if they want to survive in the championship.

What did Hardik say?

Hardik Pandya, the skipper of Mumbai, said that they didn't start the way they wanted to and this is a tough loss. Added that they were in a decent position in the middle to get to that 150-160 run mark but his wicket cost them and he could have done better. Mentioned that this is a cruel game for the bowlers and this wicket was not as expected but doesn't matter much. Stated that results sometimes come good and sometimes don't, and as a group, they will need to show some more discipline and courage to change things around.

What did Sanju Samson say?

Sanju Samson, the skipper of Rajasthan said that the toss was the game-changer and was really crucial as the wicket was sticky to start off and with the experience of Trent Boult and Nandre Burger they knew it would work well for them. Mentioned that the experience of Trent Boult bowling up front speaks volumes and he wasn't expecting 4 wickets right at the top. Added that they have big individuals in the team and the players understand the situation and execute as a team. Appreciated Yuzvendra Chahal who has been doing pretty well for the past two to three years and hopes for him to continue.

-Rahul Dubey