Mumbai Indians outclassed a hapless Rajasthan Royals by a massive 100-run margin and stormed to the top of the IPL points table after its clash at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Thursday.
Chasing a daunting 217, the Royals were jolted early when Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the centurion from the previous game, was dismissed for a duck in the first over. Yashasvi Jaiswal showed aggression, launching two towering sixes off Trent Boult, but his cameo was short-lived as his stumps were shattered soon after. Nitish Rana followed cheaply, mistiming a short ball from Boult straight to the fielder.
The introduction of Jasprit Bumrah in the fifth over all but dashed Rajasthan’s hopes. The pacer struck twice in two deliveries, removing Riyan Parag and Shimron Hetmyer, as the hosts slumped to 47 for five inside the PowerPlay.
Hardik Pandya dismissed Shubham Dubey with his first delivery with a well-directed short ball. But it was Mumbai’s Impact Player, Karn Sharma, who delivered the knockout blows, removing Dhruv Jurel, Maheesh Theekshana, and Kumar Karthikeya in quick succession to leave the Royals’ innings in complete shambles.
Trent Boult then returned to wrap things up, dismissing the last man standing, Jofra Archer, and sealing a thumping win for Mumbai.
IPL 2025-Points Table: Rajasthan Royals knocked out
Earlier, MI’s innings began cautiously before Ryan Rickelton broke free, launching Fazalhaq Farooqi for a towering six and a boundary. Rohit Sharma joined the act in the fifth over, with the pair plundering 18 runs to shift the momentum decisively in Mumbai’s favour.
The duo expertly pierced the field, particularly targeting left-arm spinner Karthikeya. Rohit struck two boundaries, while Rickelton brought up a stylish half-century with a massive six over midwicket. By the halfway stage, Mumbai had cruised to 116 without loss, completely in control.
The opening partnership was eventually broken against the run of play when Rickelton was bowled by Theekshana. Suryakumar Yadav made an immediate impact with his trademark sweep, but Rohit followed soon after, caught at long-off off Parag.
Hardik Pandya then joined Suryakumar at the crease and the duo launched a late onslaught. Hardik drove crisply down the ground, while Suryakumar scooped Theekshana for a six. In the 18th over, Hardik hammered 21 runs off Farooqi before Suryakumar wrapped up the innings in style with a majestic six over long-on.
