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Rajasthan vs Mumbai Live Commentary, Match 36, Indian Premier League, 2019, April 20, 2019

MI 161/5 (20)
Rajasthan Royals beat Mumbai Indians by 5 wickets
RR 162/5 (19.1)
Match over
Mumbai Indians Inning Rajasthan Royals Inning
0.0 : Warm welcome everyone for Match 36 of this year's Indian T20 League between Rajasthan and Mumbai at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. In their previous meeting, the pink team thumped the blue team at the Wankhede Stadium and revenge will be on the menu for the Rohit-led team. Mumbai are on a hot run and will be eyeing their third win in a row today. For Rajasthan, plenty has happened overnight. Ajinkya Rahane has been removed from captaincy and Steven Smith has been handed over the reins for the rest
Pitch report - Graeme Smith says it is a patchy surface. He adds there is lot of dryness on this track and also says it will help the seamers if they bowl stump-to-stump line. Ends by mentioning that the team which wins the toss should bat first.
Toss - Up goes the coin, Rohit Sharma calls it wrongly and RAJASTHAN WILL FIELD!
Rajasthan skipper, Steven Smith says that they will bowl as he is unsure how the pitch will behave and it's good for batting under lights. Adds that Rahane has done a terrific job for the team and it's management's decision but Jinx is still a part of the leadership group. Reminds that he has had success with the leadership role in this tournament before and is looking forward to this challenge. Informs about the three changes for Rajasthan - Ben Stokes, Steven Smith and Riyan Parag come in for
Mumbai skipper, Rohit Sharma is surprised by the looks of the surface as it has grass only on one side of the pitch. He reckons it's naturally a slow surface here and he would have batted first anyway given their success while defending totals. Wants to keep improving as a unit and is proud of the fact that everyone has contributed but also mentions that there is always room for improvement. Regarding his team, Rohit informs that unfortunately, Jayant Yadav misses out in favour of Mayank Markand
Rajasthan (Playing XI) - Sanju Samson(WK), Steven Smith(C) (In for Jos Buttler), Ajinkya Rahane, Ben Stokes (In for Ish Sodhi), Ashton Turner, Stuart Binny, Riyan Parag (In for Rahul Tripathi), Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat, Dhawal Kulkarni.
Mumbai (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma(C), Quinton de Kock(WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Ben Cutting, Rahul Chahar, Mayank Markande (In for Jayant Yadav), Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah.
Jofra Archer gives a quick interview. Says that he is loving this place and likes to bowl here. Adds that he practices yorkers and it is his go-to delivery. Also states that if the pitch is doing a bit, he loves to bowl upfront and bowl a bit in the end overs. Wants to bowl well today and try to win the match for his team.
Time to get underway! Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock are the usual Mumbai openers. They have been in excellent form this season and have provided strong starts more often than not. The visitors would be hoping for something similar once more. Surprise from Steven Smith here. He is beginning with the dibbly-dobblies of Stuart Binny. Here we go...
0.1 : S Binny to de Kock, Good start. Inswinger first up. Landing on a length around off and curling back in after hitting the deck. De Kock gets behind the line and blocks.
0.2 : S Binny to de Kock, In the air... Just over the fielder on the leg side! This one stops a bit onto the batsman from a shorter length, Quinton mistimes his shot in the air and it goes over mid-wicket. The long on fielder mops it up and Mumbai are underway with a couple of runs.
0.3 : S Binny to de Kock, A full toss this time, on off, de Kock pushes it back past the diving bowler towards mid off.
0.4 : S Binny to de Kock, The line is straighter this time and de Kock eases it off his pads in the gap on the leg side for one.
0.5 : S Binny to R Sharma, Binny offering no pace. Lands it on a length and outside off, Rohit reaches out for it and mistimes his shot off the inside half back towards the bowler. Stuart tries to stop with his right boot but misses and it crashes to the stumps at the bowler's end.
0.6 : S Binny to R Sharma, On a good length and wide outside off, Sharma middles his shot this time but finds the extra cover fielder. A tidy first over by Binny.
Dhawal Kulkarni to share the attack from the other end.
1.1 : D Kulkarni to de Kock, On a good length on leg, de Kock looks to flick but gets hit on the thigh pad.
1.2 : D Kulkarni to de Kock, On a length on leg, de Kock flicks it towards square leg for a single.
1.3 : D Kulkarni to R Sharma, Length delivery on off, Sharma taps it towards covers.
1.4 : D Kulkarni to R Sharma, On a length and outside off, Sharma punches it towards point for a run.
1.5 : D Kulkarni to de Kock, CHANCE OF A RUN OUT! SAFE! Length delivery on leg, de Kock flicks it towards mid-wicket. Stuart Binny goes for a direct hit at the keeper's end but it goes over the stumps. Direct hit would have had Rohit Sharma in trouble. The batsmen manage to take a single.
1.6 : D Kulkarni to R Sharma, BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Sharma looks to cut but misses due to the away swing on this one. 3 runs have come from the over. Good start from Dhawal Kulkarni.
Shreyas Gopal to bowl now. A slip in place for him.
2.1 : S Gopal to de Kock, Starts with a flighted ball on middle, fuller in length, de Kock knocks it down through mid on for a run.
2.2 : S Gopal to R Sharma, FOUR! First boundary of the match! A leg spinner bowled by Shreyas Gopal but the line is on the leg stump. Rohit goes down on one knee and sweeps it behind square leg. It's not exactly from the middle of the bat but still it races away to the fence.
2.3 : S Gopal to R Sharma, OUT! A soft dismissal and Gopal continues to hunt down big names of cricket! A well-disguised googly, landing full around off and turning back in. Rohit shimmies down the track a bit to play at it with a straight bat but it takes a little inside edge, brushes his pads and lobs back to the bowler. Shreyas accepts the return catch gleefully. Big breakthrough for Rajasthan.
Suryakumar Yadav is the new batsman in.
2.4 : S Gopal to S Yadav, Flatter and shorter on middle, Yadav goes back and punches it down to long on for one.
2.5 : S Gopal to de Kock, Tries to play the late square cut but ends up chopping it towards first slip.
2.6 : S Gopal to de Kock, DROPPED! Big, big miss! It would have been a great over for Gopal and Rajasthan had Jofra Archer not dropped this catch. A loopy delivery on middle, fuller in length, de Kock runs down the track to play the lofted shot but fails to get enough power behind it. Archer rushes forward from long on and tries to take the catch with a dive but it pops out of his hands at the last moment. A single taken to cap off this over.
3.1 : D Kulkarni to de Kock, FOUR! Hammered away! A full length ball around leg, Quinton rushes down the track and drills it back past the bowler for a boundary down at long on.
3.2 : D Kulkarni to de Kock, FOUR! Excellent footwork. A shortish delivery on leg, de Kock hops back to make room and smacks it through covers for a cracking boundary.
3.3 : D Kulkarni to de Kock, FOUR! The length continues to be on the shorter side, de Kock this time picks it off his pads and glances it aerially over backward square leg for a boundary. Raining boundaries here.
3.4 : D Kulkarni to de Kock, SIX! Quinton makes it even bigger. This one has gone the distance. Back of a length ball on leg, sitting up nicely for the southpaw, de Kock gets on top of the bounce and dismisses it over square leg. 18 from the over, so far.
3.5 : D Kulkarni to de Kock, Length delivery on middle, de Kock flicks it towards wide mid on for a single.
3.6 : D Kulkarni to S Yadav, Short and outside off, Yadav cuts it to point. 19 runs have come from the over. A much-needed one for Mumbai.
Jofra Archer is into the attack.
4.1 : J Archer to de Kock, Archer starts with a length delivery outside off, de Kock looks to chase this one but misses it.
4.2 : J Archer to de Kock, Ouch, that would have hurt. A shortish ball on middle, de Kock tries working it around on the leg side but misses and is hit flush on the box. Immediately the South African goes down on his haunches trying to catch some breath. That's a painful blow. After taking a moment to get his composure back, Quinton is ready to face the next ball.
4.3 : J Archer to de Kock, Full and wide outside off, de Kock drives it to covers.
4.4 : J Archer to de Kock, Full on leg, de Kock flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.
4.5 : J Archer to de Kock, FOUR! Boom! Archer delivers a slower one on the shorter side, Quinton picks it up very early, stays back and powers it over extra cover for a crunching boundary. Spoils what was turning out to be a good over. One more ball to go.
4.6 : J Archer to de Kock, Again on a good length on middle, de Kock looks to flick but gets hit on the thigh pad. Dot ball to end the over, a good one in spite of a boundary.
Jaydev Unadkat to bowl the last over of the Powerplay.
5.1 : J Unadkat to S Yadav, On a good length on middle, Sharma looks to flick but gets hit on the thigh pad. It goes towards the off side. The batsmen take a run. The umpire signals it as a leg bye.
5.2 : J Unadkat to de Kock, On a length on middle, de Kock flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
5.3 : J Unadkat to S Yadav, Length delivery on middle, Yadav plays it to mid-wicket.
5.4 : J Unadkat to S Yadav, On a length on middle, Yadav tucks it to mid-wicket again.
5.5 : J Unadkat to S Yadav, WIDE! Bowls it down the leg side, Yadav lets it go.
J Unadkat to S Yadav, Four leg byes! Bonus runs! A delivery down the leg side, it's on the fuller side and Yadav tries to play the flick shot. He fails to middle but still it goes for a boundary after clipping his pads and beating the diving effort of Samson.
5.6 : J Unadkat to S Yadav, On a good length on off, Suryakumar taps it towards cover-point for a run. 8 runs have come from the over. Mumbai are 46/1 after 6 overs. A decent Powerplay for both the teams.
Riyan Parag to bowl now after the Powerplay.
6.1 : R Parag to S Yadav, Starts with a short ball on middle, a very gentle pace, Yadav pulls it through wide mid on for a couple of runs.
6.2 : R Parag to S Yadav, IN THE AIR BUT SAFE! Floated on off, Yadav looks to flick but gets a leading edge. It goes towards backward point where it did not carry to the fielder.
6.3 : R Parag to S Yadav, Flighted delivery on off, Yadav punches it towards point for a single.
6.4 : R Parag to de Kock, Tossed up on middle and leg, de Kock nudges it towards square leg for a run.
6.5 : R Parag to de Kock, Short delivery on middle, Quinton pulls it through mid-wicket for a run.
6.6 : R Parag to S Yadav, Full on off, Yadav drives it through mid off for a run. 7 from the over, a good start for Parag.
Change in bowling. Stuart Binny is brought back into the attack.
7.1 : S Binny to S Yadav, Length delivery on middle, Yadav flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
7.2 : S Binny to de Kock, Bowls slower at a speed of 115.6 kph, de Kock comes forward and looks to pull but misses due to the slow pace on this one.
7.3 : S Binny to de Kock, Length delivery on middle, de Kock flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
7.4 : S Binny to S Yadav, Short of a length delivery, Yadav pulls it through mid-wicket. Dhawal Kulkarni at deep mid-wicket does a fine job to stop the ball. The batsmen get two runs.
7.5 : S Binny to S Yadav, Length delivery on middle, Yadav flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
7.6 : S Binny to de Kock, FOUR! 50-run stand comes up! Wrong line from Binny on this occasion. A slower short ball down the leg side, de Kock swings his bat firmly across the line and pulls it past the diving short fine leg fielder for a boundary. 9 coming from the over.
Riyan Parag to continue.
8.1 : R Parag to S Yadav, Tossed up on off, Yadav plays it to point.
8.2 : R Parag to S Yadav, SIX! Straight as an arrow! Parag delivers it full and angles it into the batsman. Suryakumar gets behind the line and smashes it over the bowler's head. It has gone dead straight and crashes onto the sightscreen.
8.3 : R Parag to S Yadav, Flighted delivery on off, Yadav drives it towards mid off for a run.
8.4 : R Parag to de Kock, Floated on middle, de Kock flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.
8.5 : R Parag to S Yadav, Tossed up on middle and leg, Yadav flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
8.6 : R Parag to de Kock, Flighted delivery on middle and leg, de Kock flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. 10 runs have come from the over.
Strategic break! It has been a good start from Mumbai on a pitch which is on the slower side. Rajasthan have bowled well but have leaked runs also. Now begins the middle overs where Mumbai have struggled in this season. Rajasthan would like to capitalize on that weakness. Dhawal Kulkarni is back into the attack.
9.1 : D Kulkarni to de Kock, Short of a length delivery, de Kock pulls it through mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.
9.2 : D Kulkarni to de Kock, Short of a length delivery, de Kock mistimes his pull towards mid-wicket.
9.3 : D Kulkarni to de Kock, Again on the shorter side, de Kock pulls it towards wide mid on for a single.
9.4 : D Kulkarni to S Yadav, Length delivery on middle, Yadav punches it towards long on for a run.
9.5 : D Kulkarni to de Kock, WIDE! Bowls a bouncer around leg, de Kock initially makes room on the off side and then allows it through. The umpire signals it a wide because it went over the batsman's head.
D Kulkarni to de Kock, Short of a length delivery outside off, de Kock looks to pull but misses it.
9.6 : D Kulkarni to de Kock, FOUR! Fine shot to reach his 9th Indian T20 League fifty, third this season. A shortish delivery around leg, de Kock shuffles across the stumps and paddles it fine down the leg side for a boundary. So, at the halfway mark, Mumbai are going steadily, 81/1!
Shreyas Gopal is back into the attack.
10.1 : S Gopal to S Yadav, Floated on middle, Yadav punches it towards mid on for a run.
10.2 : S Gopal to de Kock, Bowls a googly on middle, de Kock pulls it towards square leg for a run.
10.3 : S Gopal to S Yadav, Bowls a slider on middle, Yadav flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
10.4 : S Gopal to de Kock, Short delivery, de Kock pulls it towards mid-wicket for a run.
10.5 : S Gopal to S Yadav, Short on off, Suryakumar cuts it to point.
10.6 : S Gopal to S Yadav, Tossed up on off, Yadav lofts it over mid off. The batsmen get two runs. 6 runs have come from the over.
Jaydev Unadkat is back on.
11.1 : J Unadkat to de Kock, Swing and a miss! Unadkat steams in and darts in a back of a length ball on middle at 139.2 kph, de Kock tries to pull it blindly across the line but misses. That looked like a pre-meditated move to attack the first ball.
11.2 : J Unadkat to de Kock, Slower one this time, the length is short again and it has been angled into the southpaw. Quinton attempts to pull but only manages to mistime it. Still it goes down to long on and a run is taken.
11.3 : J Unadkat to S Yadav, Angling away from the batsman, on a length, Yadav sits down on one knee for a big shot but gets a bottom edge. It rolls to the left of short third man and he crosses. Archer attacks the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but it hits SKY on the body. A painful blow, that.
11.4 : J Unadkat to de Kock, SIX! Connects and connects handsomely this time. This one is right in the slot, on a fuller length around middle and leg, Quinton heaves it across the line and sends it flying over mid-wicket for a maximum.
11.5 : J Unadkat to de Kock, Turns it off his hips to the right of short fine leg for a run.
11.6 : J Unadkat to S Yadav, Shortish and down the leg side, Suryakumar tickles it down to fine leg for a single. 10 from this over. Mumbai are three short of 100 now.
12.1 : S Gopal to S Yadav, Gopal fires in the first delivery. It's a low full toss on the pads and is knocked down to long on for a single.
0.0 : Stumping appeal! Has Quinton de Kock dragged his back leg inside the crease in time? It has been referred upstairs by the square leg umpire.
12.2 : S Gopal to de Kock, NOT OUT! Safely in. The Mumbai spectators in the crowd are excited. A googly by Gopal deceives the batsman there. It's outside off and Quinton stretches forward to play at it without accounting for the away spin. It turns past his bat and Samson is quick to dislodge the bails. He appeals and the square leg umpire goes upstairs. The replays show that de Kock has his back leg dragged inside the crease just in time.
12.3 : S Gopal to de Kock, Googly again. Short and wide outside off, de Kock reaches out for it and slaps it down to long off for a run.
12.4 : S Gopal to S Yadav, Goes on the back foot to a short ball and strokes it to long on for a single.
12.5 : S Gopal to de Kock, Full and flighted on middle, de Kock gets down on one knee for a big slog sweep but fails to middle it properly. It rolls down to long on and the batsmen cross.
12.6 : S Gopal to S Yadav, A full toss this time, Yadav forces it down past the left side of the bowler to long off for a run. Only 5 coming off this over, Shreyas continues to impress.
Stuart Binny is back on. 12 runs in his two overs so far.
13.1 : S Binny to S Yadav, Play and a miss. Slower delivery, on the shorter side outside off, SKY is very early into his shot and hence misses.
13.2 : S Binny to S Yadav, Beaten again! Binny delivers a clever off cutter outside off, Yadav attempts to swing it over the leg side but once again is very early into his shot.
13.3 : S Binny to S Yadav, FOUR! Finally gets one from the middle of his blade. Binny tries the leg cutter on this occasion but it reaches the batsman on the full. Yadav shows it the full face of his bat and muscles it over the bowler's head for a boundary.
13.4 : S Binny to S Yadav, Back of a length delivery on middle, Yadav pulls it across the line to wide long on where Unadkat does well to stop the ball. Two taken.
13.5 : S Binny to S Yadav, OUT! Caught! A wicket against the run of play. A short ball, around middle, Suryakumar looks to pull and seems to connect well too. But this is excellent field placement from Steven Smith. Normally, when fine leg is up, there is no one else from fine leg to mid-wicket. But Smith has a man placed at backward square leg in the deep! Probably Surya did not see him before he played that shot else he might not have played it in the air. Resultingly, he finds Dhawal Kulkarni
Hardik Pandya arrives at number 4.
13.6 : S Binny to de Kock, A touch short in length on middle and off, de Kock pulls it down to long on for a run. 7 runs from the over along with the wicket of Yadav.
14.1 : S Gopal to de Kock, Sweeps and sweeps well. Binny has done a tremendous job in the field now. A flighted full ball on off, de Kock sweeps it behind square leg and it races away towards the fence. Binny in the deep rushes across to his left and pulls it back just in time. Saves two.
14.2 : S Gopal to de Kock, Short and wide outside off, cut through the line but straight to point.
14.3 : S Gopal to de Kock, OUT! De Kock holes out and now Mumbai will have two new batsmen in the middle. Gopal serves it flat and a bit short wide outside off, de Kock hangs on the back foot and tries to go big over long on. But he fails to get enough power behind his shot and Ben Stokes in the deep takes the skier with ease. Nelson strikes Mumbai here. A fine knock nonetheless from Quinton. Mumbai though will feel that two of their best strikers (Pollard and Hardik) can have a go in the last fi
Kieron Pollard now. Two bashers in the middle.
14.4 : S Gopal to H Pandya, Beauty! Nicely flighted leg spinner, drifting on middle and then spinning away to beat the defensive bat of Hardik.
A slip in place.
14.5 : S Gopal to H Pandya, Pandya has played it fine down the leg side. They pick up a single.
14.6 : S Gopal to K Pollard, Too full in length on middle, Pollard gets forward and pushes it gently with the spin to covers. Gopal has bowled out, fantastic spell from him, 4-0-21-2!
Jofra Archer is back into the attack.
15.1 : J Archer to H Pandya, Starts with a good length ball outside off, Hardik tries to run it down to third man but ends up pushing it straight to backward point.
15.2 : J Archer to H Pandya, Pitches it up and around off, Pandya gets forward to drive it through the line. The extra cover fielder rushes forward and stops the ball with a dive.
15.3 : J Archer to H Pandya, Fullish and angling in on middle, Pandya presents a straight bat and pushes it down through mid on for a run.
15.4 : J Archer to K Pollard, A cracking yorker from Archer, right in the blockhole, Pollard brings his bat down in time and digs it out to mid-wicket.
Direct hit! Rajasthan appeal and the square leg umpire waits before signalling for the third umpire.
15.5 : J Archer to K Pollard, NOT OUT! Hardik has his bat parked in! Archer delivers a fullish ball on off, Pollard strokes it straight to covers and decides to take on the fielder. Hardik responds to Kieron's call for a run and scampers across. Rahane picks up the ball and scores a direct hit at the striker's end, pinging the middle stump. They appeal and the square leg umpire takes it upstairs. The replays roll in and they show that Pandya has stretched well forward to drag his bat inside the l
15.6 : J Archer to H Pandya, A bumper outside off, Hardik leans back and allows it through to the keeper. A tidy over by Jofra, just two coming off it.
Strategic break! The match is evenly poised where Rajasthan have bowled well to restrict Mumbai. Quinton de Kock and Suryakumar Yadav stitched a 97-run stand which has given hope to Mumbai to score 170. On the other hand, the hosts will look to take the wickets of Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard to bring themselves back into the match. Jaydev Unadkat is back into the attack.
16.1 : J Unadkat to K Pollard, Pitches it up and outside off, Pollard drives it through wide mid off and takes a couple of runs.
16.2 : J Unadkat to K Pollard, Good change of pace. It's on the slower side, around leg, Pollard turns it behind square leg and picks up a single.
16.3 : J Unadkat to H Pandya, DROPPED! Archer has put down Pandya. Huge, huge miss that for Rajasthan. A cutter from Unadkat, on a length outside off, Pandya rocks back to heave it across the line but fails to middle it properly. It flies down to deep mid-wicket where Archer takes it too casually and drops a sitter. This is the second catch he has dropped this evening. One run added to the total.
16.4 : J Unadkat to K Pollard, SIX! IMPERIOUS! This is called rubbing salt on the wound. A long hop, on middle, Pollard swivels and pulls it flat, just over the man at deep mid-wicket. Got to feel for Unadkat. Could have had Hardik...
16.5 : J Unadkat to K Pollard, OUT! Sound of timberrrr and Unadkat is all pumped up. It could have been even better for Jaydev had Archer not dropped the catch two balls back. Excellent bowling from the left-armer. Yet another cutter from him has done the trick. It lands on middle and cuts away a bit, Pollard is too early into the swing of his bat and hence misses. The ball goes right through to destroy the stumps. A big blow to Mumbai.
Ben Cutting arrives in the middle.
16.6 : J Unadkat to Ben Cutting, FOUR! Look at the timing on this shot. It has just raced away off the turf. A delivery angling away from the batsman, Cutting opens the face of his bat, finds the sweet spot and it speeds away past the diving short third man fielder for a boundary. Eventful over, 14 runs, a dropped catch and a wicket from it!
17.1 : J Archer to H Pandya, FOUR! Those wrists of Hardik Pandya, ufff! Archer serves a shortish ball on middle and leg, Pandya shuffles across just a bit and swings it behind square leg for a boundary.
17.2 : J Archer to H Pandya, Driven through mid off by the batsman. One run added to the total.
17.3 : J Archer to Ben Cutting, Hits the blockhole this time, around off, Cutting digs it out back in the direction of the bowler.
17.4 : J Archer to Ben Cutting, Cutting has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Ben Cutting has a change of bats.
17.5 : J Archer to Ben Cutting, Three dots now. A low full toss on off, pushed back to the bowler.
17.6 : J Archer to Ben Cutting, The batsman goes for the pull but misses it completely. Excellent over yet again from Jofra, only 5 from it, and four came off the first ball.
18.1 : J Unadkat to H Pandya, Wide! Unadkat sprays it way wide outside off on a length, Hardik shapes up for a big shot but then allows it through. Pandya is not looking too happy, maybe, he wanted to chase that.
J Unadkat to H Pandya, Shortish and on off, angling away, Hardik rocks back to punch it on the leg side but it takes the leading edge and flies over extra cover for a brace.
18.2 : J Unadkat to H Pandya, EDGY FOUR! This is what Hardik Pandya wanted to do on the first ball. A wide delivery outside off, Pandya chases it this time, throws his bat at it and the outside edge goes between the diving keeper and short third man for a boundary.
18.3 : J Unadkat to H Pandya, Wide! Unadkat is trying to persist with his line outside off. Fails to keep it under control and serves it outside the tramline. Pandya leaves.
J Unadkat to H Pandya, DROPPED! What's happening here? Third catch dropped by Jofra Archer. Talk about butter fingers. A slower back of a length ball on middle, Pandya turns inside the crease and has a real crack at this. Although he fails to middle his shot properly and it flies towards wide long on. Archer runs forward and across in the deep, goes down low to take the catch but fails to hang on yet again. This is becoming embarrassing for him. Two more added to the total.
18.4 : J Unadkat to H Pandya, SIX! Adding insult to injury. Slower delivery again, a touch short in length, Hardik this time goes straight and dispatches it over the bowler's head for a biggie.
18.5 : J Unadkat to H Pandya, A yorker on off, Pandya digs it out off the outer half to covers and takes a run.
18.6 : J Unadkat to Ben Cutting, In the air... in the air... DROPS SAFELY! Back of a length ball on middle, Cutting swivels and heaves it across the line. His shot though has more height than distance. It balloons in the air, Stokes probably picks it late and by the time he rushes forward, the ball lands. A couple taken to make it a 19-run over.
Is Hardik gone LBW? Terrific ball from Archer, going for the yorker but to the naked eye, it seems to be missing leg. Smith has taken the review...
19.1 : J Archer to H Pandya, OUT! No, this one is found to be plumb in the replays! Now then, this wicket will at least cost Mumbai 10 runs. A corker of a yorker, at 150.8 kph, Pandya is beaten in pace and is late in bringing his bat down. He is hit on the pads, they appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Archer is very sure and Steven Smith decides to take it upstairs. The replays roll in and it shows the door to Hardik Pandya. Finally, Archer shows what to bowl to Pandya if you want to contain
Krunal Pandya walks in next.
19.2 : J Archer to K Pandya, On a length and outside off, Krunal pushes it to covers for a run.
19.3 : J Archer to Ben Cutting, Archer misses his yorker just by a few inches but still a low full toss is not always easy to put away. Cutting swings his bat the helicopter-style but only manages to pump it down to long off for a run.
19.4 : J Archer to K Pandya, It's been driven superbly through the covers. They pick up a single.
19.5 : J Archer to Ben Cutting, Play and a miss! Shortish delivery skidding back into the batsman, Cutting flashes and misses.
19.6 : J Archer to Ben Cutting, SIX! Finishes it in style! A length delivery in the line of the stumps, Cutting swivels on the back foot and dismisses it over square leg for biggie. 9 from the last over, Mumbai end on 161/5!
A very competitive total on a very slow surface. Mumbai will believe that they have done very well to get to 161. It is not the easiest of pitches to bat on and Rajasthan will have their work cut out.
Unfortunately for Mumbai, they could not get a flying start today. Rohit was dismissed early but then de Kock and Suryakumar got into the rebuilding zone. That got Mumbai on track as the 97-run stand got them within a predicted score of 170. But then, twin strikes pushed the visitors back a touch and they could not quite get the big hitting they needed. Even the likes of Hardik and Pollard could not get going and probably, Mumbai would not have reached even 150, had Rajasthan not dropped 3 catch
Decent bowling from the home side but smarter bowling changes from new captain Smith. He kept the batsmen guessing, not persisting with one particular bowler and his fielding placements were immaculate. Remember that placement of the fielder to get rid of Suryakumar Yadav? Unadkat and Kulkarni were not quite good with the ball but the others did a fabulous choking job in the middle. Shreyas Gopal was the pick, as he was the one who started to apply the pressure. Here he is, talking to Simon Doul
Shreyas Gopal says that surface is pretty okay and 160 is just about par. Informs that if you bowl slow, it's gripping but not that difficult to bat. On his bowling plans against Quinton de Kock, Gopal replies that it's holding up a bit and his plan was to make him play against the spin towards the longer part of the ground. Hopes that he won't be required with the bat and if that happens, his side will win.
Okay... 162 to win. Looks to be an average score on paper but this is no batsmen-friendly deck. It is slow and there is turn available. Mumbai have two leggies to boast. The hosts will have to grind it out in the middle. However, if dew sets in, that could play a crucial role...
0.1 : H Pandya to A Rahane, Starts with a back of a length ball on off, Rahane remains on the back foot and pushes it out to covers.
How will Rajasthan pan this run chase? Attack against the new ball? Or just keep wickets in hand?
0.2 : H Pandya to A Rahane, Some movement off the deck this time, on a fuller length outside off, Rahane pushes it with an angled bat to point.
0.3 : H Pandya to A Rahane, A touch short and on off, Rahane goes back and punches it through point for a run.
0.4 : H Pandya to S Samson, FOUR! Samson begins his innings with a boundary! Short in length and on off, Sanju stands tall and pulls it through mid-wicket. It races away and the fielder in the deep fails to cut it off.
0.5 : H Pandya to S Samson, FOUR! Two in two! The length is on the shorter side again and there is plenty of width available as well. Samson sticks back and opens the face of his bat to run it down to third man for a boundary.
0.6 : H Pandya to S Samson, Beaten! Movement off the surface from outside off. Samson tries to play it late down to third man but gets beaten this time. 9 from the first over.
Who will bowl from the other end? A spinner? A seamer? Krunal Pandya it is.
1.1 : K Pandya to A Rahane, Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a single.
1.2 : K Pandya to S Samson, FOUR! The arm ball, Samson looks to play this inside out but the ball skids on and takes the inside half of the bat and skews off the inner half of the bat over the bowler. Down the ground for a boundary.
1.3 : K Pandya to S Samson, A flatter delivery on middle and leg, Samson flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.
1.4 : K Pandya to A Rahane, Krunal bowls this around leg, Rahane flicks it to wide mid on. Single taken.
1.5 : K Pandya to S Samson, FOUR! BRILLIANT! This is what Samson was trying on the second ball of this over. Steps to the leg side, gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it inside out over cover for a boundary.
1.6 : K Pandya to S Samson, FOUR! Classic shot. 15 from the over and Rajasthan are up and running. Full and outside off, Samson leans and drives it through the covers!
Lasith Malinga on to bowl.
2.1 : L Malinga to A Rahane, Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler.
0.0 : Review time! Isn't that too high? Rohit reckons but Malinga is confident. Mumbai take the review. Looks to be missing the stumps...
2.2 : L Malinga to A Rahane, NOT OUT. Indeed it is height. On a length outside off, cutting in, Rahane looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. The ball rolls to the off side and the batsmen take a single, as Malinga continues appealing for LBW. Rohit is not interested but Malinga convinces him to go for it. Hawk Eye shows that it is going over the top.
2.3 : L Malinga to S Samson, FOUR BYES! Tough luck for de Kock. Outside off, slower in pace, Samson looks to force it through the off side but is beaten for the lack of pace. De Kock looks to stop but gets a bad bounce and the ball goes through, just evading the helmet behind!
2.4 : L Malinga to S Samson, A back of a length delivery on off, Samson keeps it away by playing it to mid on.
2.5 : L Malinga to S Samson, Malinga bowls this one shaping outside off, Samson opens the face of the bat and plays it towards short third man for a single.
2.6 : L Malinga to A Rahane, Full on middle and leg, Rahane flicks it towards the short fine leg region. Single added.
Rahul Chahar into the attack now.
3.1 : R Chahar to A Rahane, FOUR! Short and outside off, Rahane rocks back and cuts it behind point for a boundary!
3.2 : R Chahar to A Rahane, FOUR! Excellent batting! Full and around off, Rahane gets down and sweeps this powerfully behind square leg for consecutive boundaries!
3.3 : R Chahar to A Rahane, Rahul bowls this on middle, Rahane calmly defends it.
3.4 : R Chahar to A Rahane, OUT! Rahul Chahar removes Rahane! Excellent catch from Suryakumar Yadav. A nicely floated leg spinner, landing full on off, Rahane strides forward to play it through the line but does so aerially in the direction of extra cover. Suryakumar Yadav there dives to his right to catch it superbly. Chahar continues from where he left off in the last match.
Steven Smith is the new batsman in.
3.5 : R Chahar to S Smith, Rahul bowls this on leg, Smith flicks it to square leg for a run to get off the mark.
3.6 : R Chahar to S Samson, FOUR! Risky but effective. Full on middle, Samson gets down and gently paddles it fine. Had he missed it, he would have been a goner. Short fine leg puts in a chase, gets to the ball and dives but in vain. 13 from the over but a wicket as well.
Jasprit Bumrah time.
4.1 : J Bumrah to S Smith, Bumrah starts with a back of a length delivery on off, Smith flicks it to the leg side. Single taken.
4.2 : J Bumrah to S Samson, Same delivery by Bumrah, Samson plays it back to the bowler.
4.3 : J Bumrah to S Samson, A short of a good length delivery around off, Samson drives it covers.
4.4 : J Bumrah to S Samson, Bumrah pull his length back, outside off. SS plays it to third man for a single.
4.5 : J Bumrah to S Smith, A back of a length delivery on off, Smith flicks it towards the mid-wicket region and takes a double.
4.6 : J Bumrah to S Smith, A dot to end the over. Back of a length delivery again, Smith plays it to mid-wicket. 4 runs from this over.
Lasith Malinga gets a change of ends.
5.1 : L Malinga to S Samson, Malinga rolls his wrists on this ball pitching outside off. Samson tries to play it towards covers but gets a bottom half of the bat due to lack in pace on the ball.
5.2 : L Malinga to S Samson, Short delivery on off, Samson plays it to covers for a single.
5.3 : L Malinga to S Smith, FOUR! MURDERED! Short and wide outside off, Smith latches onto the width and crashes it behind point for a boundary!
5.4 : L Malinga to S Smith, Full on leg, Smith flicks it to square leg for a couple.
5.5 : L Malinga to S Smith, FOUR! Supreme batting! Not a bad ball at all. On a length, outside off, Smith just uses the pace of the bowler and guides it with an open bat face between cover and point!
5.6 : L Malinga to S Smith, Malinga bowls this around middle, Smith flicks it to square leg. Single taken and will retain the strike. 12 from the over and Rajasthan end their Powerplay on 60/1.
STRATEGIC BREAK. This was coming. Given that Mumbai were leaking runs, one expected Rohit to put a brake on the proceedings. Rajasthan have started off well and it might be a blessing in disguise that Rahane has been dismissed. But they now need Smith to bat through. It will not be an easy pitch to bat for the new batsmen.
6.1 : M Markande to S Smith, A flighted delivery on off by Markande, Smith looks to play it towards cover but at the last moment, opens the bat-face to play the ball towards point.
6.2 : M Markande to S Smith, SIX! My word, that is some shot. This is vintage Smith. Again, nothing wrong with the ball. It is tossed up and around off but Smith comes down the track and just flicks it with subtle use of his wrists. The ball clears the wide long on fence!
6.3 : M Markande to S Smith, Smart batting by Smith. A fuller delivery on middle. Smith just taps it towards the off side and runs for a single.
6.4 : M Markande to S Samson, Flatter ball on middle, Samson flicks it to mid-wicket for a run.
6.5 : M Markande to S Smith, Full on middle, pushed through mid on for one.
6.6 : M Markande to S Samson, SIX! Magnificent batting. Full and outside off, Samson leans and lofts it over cover for a biggie! 15 from the over, 27 off the last 2!
Rahul Chahar to bowl now. Leggies from both the ends.
7.1 : R Chahar to S Smith, Fuller delivery on middle and leg, Smith just flicks it to mid-wicket. Single taken.
7.2 : R Chahar to S Samson, OUT! Taken in the deep! Samson holes out! Full on middle, Samson comes down the track and looks to go downtown. Is nowhere near the pitch of the ball and skies it high up in the air. Simple catch for Kieron Pollard at long on. The 37-run stand is broken. Does this bring Mumbai back into the game? 86 more needed from 76 balls.
Ben Stokes is in.
7.3 : R Chahar to S Smith, Full on off, SS blocks it.
7.4 : R Chahar to S Smith, A shorter delivery on off, Smith on his back foot plays it to long on for a run.
7.5 : R Chahar to Ben Stokes, A back of a length delivery around leg, Stokes was waiting for this on his back foot but the ball kept low. BS plays it back to the bowler awkwardly.
7.6 : R Chahar to Ben Stokes, OUT! Drags it on! One brings two and Chahar has a double-strike. Outside off, Stokes looks to cut but is too early into the shot. Gets a thick inside edge as the ball comes slowly onto the bat. The LED bails illuminate and Stokes has to walk back after another failure. 2 runs and 2 wickets from that over. Could be a game-changer.
Riyan Parag walks in to bat.
8.1 : M Markande to S Smith, Length delivery on off, Smith plays it back to the bowler.
8.2 : M Markande to S Smith, A tossed up delivery on off, Smith plays it to covers.
8.3 : M Markande to S Smith, FOUR! That is way too short, outside off, Smith pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary!
8.4 : M Markande to S Smith, A single after the boundary. Smith plays it to mid on for a single.
8.5 : M Markande to R Parag, A back of a length delivery on middle, Parag plays it towards short mid-wicket.
8.6 : M Markande to R Parag, FOUR! Short and outside off, Parag goes back and whips it through mid-wicket for a boundary!
9.1 : R Chahar to S Smith, Length delivery on off, Smith plays it back to the bowler.
9.2 : R Chahar to S Smith, A tossed up delivery on off, Smith goes for a flick but as the wicket is slow, the ball goes off the leading edge towards the cover region.
9.3 : R Chahar to S Smith, Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
9.4 : R Chahar to R Parag, Outside off, punched through the covers for a couple.
9.5 : R Chahar to R Parag, Outside off, Parag looks to work it to the leg side but misses.
9.6 : R Chahar to R Parag, Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Krunal Pandya to bowl now. 1-0-15-0 so far.
10.1 : K Pandya to R Parag, Fuller on off, Parag defends it.
10.2 : K Pandya to R Parag, FOUR! Again that one compulsory boundary in the over. Full and outside off, Parag gets down and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket for a boundary!
10.3 : K Pandya to R Parag, A shorter length delivery skids on Parag. RP plays it to long on for a single.
10.4 : K Pandya to S Smith, A shorter delivery again, Smith plays it to long on and runs for a double.
10.5 : K Pandya to S Smith, Shorter delivery on leg, Smith easily plays it to long on. Single taken.
10.6 : K Pandya to R Parag, A flighted delivery on leg, Parag plays it to mid on but Krunal dives to his right and stops any more further run.
Hardik Pandya time. 1-0-9-0 so far.
11.1 : H Pandya to R Parag, Short and outside off, pulled through long on for a single. Pollard fires a direct hit at the bowler's end and concedes an overthrow.
11.2 : H Pandya to R Parag, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
11.3 : H Pandya to R Parag, A back of a length delivery on off, Parag plays it to mid on. Single taken.
11.4 : H Pandya to S Smith, A length delivery on off, Smith flicks it onto his pads. Smith straightaway shouts NO to his partner.
11.5 : H Pandya to S Smith, A short delivery this time by Hardik. Smith attempts a pull gets an inside edge onto his body.
11.6 : H Pandya to S Smith, A back of a length delivery on off, Smith punches it to covers for a single.
Jasprit Bumrah time. 1-0-4-0 so far.
12.1 : J Bumrah to S Smith, A back of length delivery on middle and leg, Smith flicks this from his back foot towards the mid-wicket for a single.
12.2 : J Bumrah to R Parag, Misses out a full toss! Gosh, that looked close. It was right on middle stump, angling down, Parag looked to whip but missed. He was hit on the pads and Bumrah immediately went up in an appeal but the umpire instantaneously indicated an inside edge. Snickometer confirms.
12.3 : J Bumrah to R Parag, A short delivery around off, Parag looks for a pull. The ball hits his body. Single taken.
12.4 : J Bumrah to S Smith, Another inside edge. Wicket showing its nature. A back of a length delivery on off, Smith looks for a flick, again gets an inside edge onto the body. Single taken.
12.5 : J Bumrah to R Parag, Bumrah bowls this full, Parag flicks it towards the mid-wicket for a single
12.6 : J Bumrah to S Smith, A back of a length delivery on off, Smith punches it to mid off. Single taken.
13.1 : H Pandya to S Smith, Full and outside off, Smith gets across and looks to whip across the line but misses.
13.2 : H Pandya to S Smith, Fuller on leg, Smith tries a flick and gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball goes towards the third man. Single taken.
13.3 : H Pandya to R Parag, A length delivery on off, Parag plays it back to the bowler.
13.4 : H Pandya to R Parag, FOUR! Cheeky! Full on middle, Parag gets across and paddles it over the keeper for a boundary to the fine leg fence.
13.5 : H Pandya to R Parag, FOUR! Off the edge this time. Around off, following the batsman, Parag backs away to the leg side and looks to force this through the off side but is beaten by pace. The ball skids through, takes the outside edge and beats short third man!
13.6 : H Pandya to R Parag, A back of a length delivery on off. Parag sensibly flicks it to fine leg for a run. Very nice shot by Riyan.
Rahul Chahar to bowl out. 3-0-19-3 so far.
14.1 : R Chahar to R Parag, Flatter length, around middle, Parag looks to flick but the ball skids through and takes the leading edge towards cover.
14.2 : R Chahar to R Parag, SIX! Not a bad shot at all. Short and outside off, Parag swings it over wide long on and it goes all the way!
14.3 : R Chahar to R Parag, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
14.4 : R Chahar to S Smith, A back of a length delivery on middle and leg, Smith taps it to right of the bowler and runs quickly. Chahar has a shy at the stumps at the non striker's end but misses. Smith would have been in.
14.5 : R Chahar to R Parag, A high full toss on off, Parag lifts it above the cover region for a run.
14.6 : R Chahar to S Smith, A back of a length delivery, Smith flicks it to mid-wicket. Single taken.
Lasith Malinga returns. 2-0-14-0 so far.
15.1 : L Malinga to S Smith, On middle and off, Smith works it through mid-wicket for a quick single.
15.2 : L Malinga to R Parag, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. One run added to the total.
15.3 : L Malinga to S Smith, Around off, worked through mid-wicket for a single.
15.4 : L Malinga to R Parag, Very full outside off, almost a yorker, Parag looks to squeeze it out but misses.
15.5 : L Malinga to R Parag, FOUR! Full and outside off, Parag lofts it over cover and gets a boundary!
15.6 : L Malinga to R Parag, Dropped short, Riyan jumps and swats it wide of mid-wicket for a couple.
STRATEGIC BREAK. 4 overs left, 25 runs needed. Rajasthan cruising. But are they winning? We have seen this before. Remember the Wankhede? 40 needed from 40 and Rajasthan choked? Get Steven Smith and an encore is underway... JASPRIT BUMRAH is back on. 2-0-8-0 so far.
16.1 : J Bumrah to S Smith, FOUR! Outstanding batting. Outside off, on a length, Smith just places this behind point. Third man races to his right and dives but in vain.
16.2 : J Bumrah to S Smith, Full on leg, Smith flicks it with ease to fine leg. Smith is not happy with himself as he could have made full use of this poor delivery. Single taken.
16.3 : J Bumrah to R Parag, A shorter delivery that hits Parag in the helmet. The ball goes to the mid-wicket. This looks like a leg bye but it seems like it has stuck his glove hence umpire gives it as a run.
16.4 : J Bumrah to S Smith, Full on off, Smith plays it to covers.
16.5 : J Bumrah to S Smith, HALF CENTURY FOR SMITH! He has got his milestone. But can he take his team home? Full and outside off, cuts back in sharply, Smith looks to force it through the off side but the ball skids through, takes the inner half of the bat and goes towards wide long on. Two runs taken. The raise of the bat comes but Smith knows that the job is not done yet.
16.6 : J Bumrah to S Smith, Outside off, Steven looks to pull mistimes it to short mid-wicket.
Hardik Pandya. Back for his last.
17.1 : H Pandya to R Parag, Full on leg, Parag flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.
17.2 : H Pandya to S Smith, A short delivery on off, Smith looks to pull but misses it as ball kept low and SS fails to connect.
17.3 : H Pandya to S Smith, A full length delivery on off, Smith drives it to covers.
Is that a wicket? Hardik does not even appeal. Is Parag short?
17.4 : H Pandya to S Smith, OUT! Scratch the insert below. Parag is indeed short! Probably Hardik did not appeal because it seemed too obvious to him. Outside off, Smith worked it through mid on and took the single. Parag wanted the second and called for it and the skipper obliged. The throw was a good one to Hardik and he took the bails off. Parag was more than a yard short, as per the replays.
Ashton Turner walks in at number 6, replacing Parag.
17.5 : H Pandya to S Smith, FOUR! He will hit you to the fence all day. Short and outside off, Smith lashes it behind point and the ball beats the man diving at point!
17.6 : H Pandya to S Smith, Outside off, laced through the covers for a couple more. 8 runs and a wicket from the over.
18.1 : J Bumrah to A Turner, OUT! PLUMB LBW! Ashton is gone and is this match turning? Wow, probably for the first time in his life, Turner may not like gold. Second consecutive golden duck for him. This is a ripper from Bumrah. A length ball from outside off, Ashton looks to defend but the ball skids on and catches him in front of the stumps. Bumrah appeals and that looks a dead duck.
0.0 : Stuart Binny walks in at number 7, replacing Turner.
18.2 : J Bumrah to S Binny, Bumrah bowls this short. Binny plays it towards the mid-wicket for a single. Smart batting. Singles will do for Rajasthan.
Is that a run out? A direct hit has got Mumbai excited. Smith looks comfortable. Referred upstairs...
18.3 : J Bumrah to S Smith, SAFE AS A HOUSE. Full and outside off, Smith pushes it towards point and sets off for a quick single. The fielder gets to the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end and hits the stumps. They all appeal and the umpire refers it upstairs. Replays show that the bat is dragged well in.
18.4 : J Bumrah to S Binny, Outside off, punched through the off side for a single.
18.5 : J Bumrah to S Smith, Full on off, Smith drives it to mid off for another easy single.
18.6 : J Bumrah to S Binny, A length delivery on off, Binny plays it to mid off. Single taken.
Malinga to bowl the last. 4 needed to win. 3 to defend. Can we have a Super Over? Or can Mumbai pull off the unthinkable?
19.1 : L Malinga to S Binny, FOUR LEG BYES! RAJASTHAN WIN! What an anti-climax. A full toss, down the leg side and Binny looks to flick it away. But he misses and the ball goes off the pads to the fine leg fence. Okay. Replays seem to indicate an inside edge.
Another humdinger which should not have gone the distance. But those two wickets in the space of 4 balls changed the course of the game slightly. But with Smith around, the skipper ensured that there was no loss of track.
Well, so Rajasthan are being a bogey team for Mumbai, aren't they? 2 wins in this season and also a double in 2018! The hosts seemed to plan out the run chase properly. Samson was promoted to open and he got the team off to a flying start. Rahane's dismissal did not affect the home side much because the captain came in. Smith got in a useful partnership with Samson but crucially, he batted till the very end, thereby avoiding a collapse. Not to forget, Riyan Parag played a wonderful knock, scorin
Coming to Mumbai's bowling, one cannot say they were too bad but they did not seem to be incisive enough. They were not able to create enough pressure consistently with dot balls and only Rahul Chahar stood out, with his 3-fer.
STEVEN SMITH HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH FOR HIS UNBEATEN 59. The skipper has led from the front in the very first game as captain this season.
That ends the first game of the double-header on Saturday. Neither team changes its position in the points table. But do not go anywhere. Because the Delhi-Punjab match is on our heels...