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Sixteen deliveries. That’s how long Mumbai Indians (MI) toiled over Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson on Friday evening at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. A true spectre haunting Raj, Shami was absolutely brilliant with the ball, sending shockwaves through the stadium with each lethal yorker. MI looked set at stumps over a formidable 166-run target that RR would need to chase down.
Mumbai Indians dominate early stages
Mumbai Indians started their chase with intent. Jasprit Bumrah, crafty and composed, picked up his third wicket to keep the foundation steady. Then came the storming intervention, a thunderous 35-ball half-century. Faf du Plessis, the South African maestro, stitched together his innings with surgical precision, fending off the early challenges thrown by the home bowlers.
Shami’s mastery over Samson
The defining partnership of the night was clearly between Tim David and Faf du Plessis. Having added crucial runs at the crease, their influence extended beyond their own knocks. It was David who ran through the middle for the vital DRS referral that led to Samson’s edge caught brilliantly. Elsewhere, Tushar Deshpande provided some hard-nosed resistance before eventually departing cheaply.
As the stumps approached, the narrative was clear: MI were in complete control. The hard part would be converting this commanding position into victory come the final over. The pitch conditions offered turn for MI bowlers, ensuring they maintained their dominance throughout.
Anatomy of an imposing target
The narrative shifted on the final afternoon as MI chased down the formidable 173-run target set by Dinesh Karthik, his captaincy guiding RR to a strong total of 195 for five in his 48-ball innings. Karthik, known for his gritty leadership, played an intelligent, unbeaten knock.
Deflating the RR middle order
RR’s middle order crumbled under sustained MI pressure. Khaleel Ahmed didn’t waste time getting his attack on, picking up a hat-trick wicket early in the powerplay. An unprecedented double strike from Dwayne Bravo, moments apart, extinguished any semblance of RR’s middle-order fire-power. That double wicket blow completely changed the complexion of the chase.
Faf du Plessis reigns supreme
But it was Faf du Plessis who truly led MI’s batting charge, undefeated on 80 at the finish. His innings, built meticulously and executed flawlessly, was instrumental in putting MI firmly in the driver’s seat.
The chase was on, a thrilling pursuit against a challenging target.
A thrilling chase seals MI victory
Under pressure, Tim David found his best form. Match-winning moments followed. His boundary off the bowling of Karthik seemed to lift the entire MI unit. A blistering cameo from Andre Russell chased down the remaining runs with breathtaking ease, capping off a magnificent chase.
Final figures read out like a masterclass: Samson struggling against an excellent bowling attack dominated by Nicholas Pooran (two wickets for 18 expensive) and three maidens from Pooran himself, plus Hardik Pandya claiming vital figures of 3 for 17. MI’s seamers consistently pounded the stumps.
The margin: 13 runs. A relatively modest finish, but victory is victory, a win that underscores the strength within the Mumbai Indians squad right now.
This win solidifies MI’s position at the IPL summit after some fluctuation, keeping their dream of consecutive titles alive amidst a fiercely competitive tournament. Every game now holds immense significance.
Batting first, Mumbai Indians piled up a massive 220 runs before tea. David Warner’s marathon effort looked set to script another massive total before the powerplay lunch break. The high-octane chase set the entire match’s rhythm.
This victory proves that finding consistent form across all departments is crucial in this league.
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