Mumbai outclass Watson's Royals

Sanju Samson’s blazing 76 was in vain as the Mumbai Indians bowlers kept their nerve in the death overs to come away with an eight-run win over Shane Watson’s Rajasthan Royals.

Samson’s innings combined with handy knocks from Watson and Steve Smith had the Rajasthan chase in control before Mitchell McClenaghan struck twice in two balls in the 18th over to turn the match in the favour of the Ricky Ponting-coached Indians.

Mumbai were sent in to bat, playing the same XI from their previous game, while the Royals left James Faulkner out in favour of Juan Theron.

The Indians’ lack of foundation has been the bane of their batting this season but against the Royals, they revisited the template that had been so successful for them.

Helped by a flat track at the Wankhede, they lost just two wickets in the first 10 overs, allowing them to build it to the point from where Ambati Rayudu and the rest could explode.

Image Id: ~/media/FBA7E346A57D4F3D99AD7DDA0EDC01CBAmbati Rayudu played a crucial knock for Mumbai // BCCI 

Lendl Simmons was dropped before he had opened his account, as keeper Sanju Samson failed to hold on to a straightforward chance off a beautifully-bowled Tim Southee outswinger.

While Simmons didn’t really make Rajasthan pay, his 31-ball 38 and a 43-run stand for the first wicket ensured Mumbai had got the start they needed.

Unmukt Chand didn’t last long after that, leaving Mumbai in bit of strife at 3-84 in the 11th over, but Rayudu took on the mantle rather well.

Before this game, Rayudu had scored 0, 13, 29, 0, 30 and seven, hardly earth-shattering.

Finally, he seemed to turn the corner against the Royals. He was involved in two major partnerships including a 36-run stand with captain Rohit Sharma and a longer, quicker 61-run stand with Kieron Pollard.

Not often does Pollard play second fiddle but that’s exactly what happened once Rayudu took off, scoring 53 off 27.

At the other end, Pollard smacked a 14-ball 24 to help Mumbai prop up to 5-187 from their 20 overs.

Dhawal Kulkarni took 2-26, Ankit Sharma went for 1-29 from his four overs, while Watson was more expensive, hit for 0-36 off three.

Image Id: ~/media/2D252AB2BA934B61B2DA8E36406B0CA4Shane Watson bowls // BCCI

In reply, Ajinkya Rahane was given an early life but the Orange Cap holder failed to make much of it, dismissed for 16 off 12, while Watson looked in good touch before being bowled on 28.

With Samson in control, supported by Smith and 64 needed from six overs, the game seemed to be running away from Mumbai’s grasp when McClenaghan struck, removing Smith for 23.

However a 13-run over from Vinay kept Rajasthan in the game and when Samson smashed Malinga for a six and a four, the requirement was just 34 from three overs.

Another six followed in McClenaghan’s next over, but two balls later he had turned the game on its head.

Image Id: ~/media/636FFF84E44B456C87FA9D51FE8F6334Sanju Samson almost stole the match for Rajasthan // BCCI

First he had the exhausted Samson mistiming it straight down long-off’s throat before Karun Nair nicked the next ball to the keeper.

Deepak Hooda averted the hat-trick but when he was dismissed off the very first ball of the next over, Rajasthan were a good 26 runs away and had just 11 balls to get there.

Malinga conceded just six more runs from his final five balls, leaving Rajasthan’s Stuart Binny and Tim Southee too much to do in the last over.

The win was Mumbai’s third of the season, while the Royals remained in second spot on the ladder.