In addition to having a battery of reliable all-rounders, one of the features of Mumbai Indians’ consistent success in the Indian Premier League over the years has been its all-round performance on the field.
This was on full display at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, as a well-oiled MI machine reversed its adverse recent head-to-head record against Rajasthan Royals with a stylish 57-run win.
Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action during the IPL 2020 match against Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi on October 6, 2020.
Suryakumar Yadav’s personal best in the IPL (79 n.o., 47b, 11x4, 2x6), supported by captain Rohit Sharma (35, 23b, 2x4, 3x6) at the top and Hardik Pandya (30 n.o., 19b, 2x4, 1x6) at the death, helped MI pile on a formidable 193 for four after electing to bat.
Fizz out of the chase
Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah — the Indian pace spearhead using the new ball for the first time this season — then reduced Royals to 12 for three in the third over to take the fizz out of the chase.
And just when Jos Buttler (70, 44b, 4x4, 5x6) started to cut loose, Kieron Pollard pulled off a stunner on the boundary line. Despite misjudging the ball for a split second, Pollard leapt high and caught the ball on the second attempt.
Superman-like dive
This effort was as spectacular as the Superman-like dive from substitute Anukul Roy — fielding in place of Suryakumar, who was hit on the helmet — to dismiss Mahipal Lomror.
Rajasthan Royals players celebrate a wicket during the IPL 2020 match against Mumbai Indians in Abu Dhabi on October 6, 2020.
Bumrah then ran through the tail to end Royals’ innings for 136, handing MI a comprehensive win. It also helped the defending champion regain the top position, although it has played a match more than second-placed Delhi Capitals.
Earlier, Suryakumar, having driven leggie Shreyas Gopal inside-out with panache, suffered a painful blow on his helmet in the penultimate over of MI’s innings, bowled by Jofra Archer, who consistently clocked 150kmph.
But it was Suryakumar’s response — gliding a near-perfect wide yorker over third-man for six — that underlined that it was his and MI’s night.
Scoreboard
MUMBAI INDIANS: Quinton de Kock c Buttler b Tyagi 23 (15b, 3x4, 1x6), Rohit Sharma c Tewatia b Shreyas 35 (23b, 2x4, 3x6), Suryakumar Yadav (not out) 79 (47b, 11x4, 2x6), Ishan Kishan c Samson b Shreyas 0 (1b), Krunal Pandya c Shreyas b Archer 12 (17b, 1x6), Hardik Pandya (not out) 30 (19b, 2x4, 1x6); Extras (b-5, lb-2, w-5, nb-2): 14.
Total (for four wkts. in 20 overs): 193.
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-49 (de Kock, 4.5 overs), 2-88 (Rohit, 9.1), 3-88 (Kishan, 9.2), 4-117 (Krunal, 13.6).
ROYALS BOWLING: Rajpoot 3-0-42-0, Shreyas 4-0-28-2, Archer 4-0-34-1, Tyagi 4-0-36-1, Curran 3-0-33-0, Tewatia 2-0-13-0.
RAJASTHAN ROYALS: Yashasvi Jaiswal c de Kock b Boult 0 (2b), Jos Buttler c Pollard b Pattinson 70 (44b, 4x4, 5x6), Steve Smith c de Kock b Bumrah 6 (7b, 1x4), Sanju Samson c Rohit b Boult 0 (3b), Mahipal Lomror c sub (Anukul) b Rahul Chahar 11 (13b, 1x4), Tom Curran c Hardik b Pollard 15 (16b, 1x4), Rahul Tewatia b Bumrah 5 (6b, 1x4), Jofra Archer c Pollard b Bumrah 24 (11b, 3x4, 1x6), Shreyas Gopal c de Kock b Bumrah 1 (2b), Ankit Rajpoot c Rohit b Pattinson 2 (5b), Kartik Tyagi (not out) 0 (0b); Extras (lb-1, w-1): 2.
Total (in 18.1 overs): 136.
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-0 (Jaiswal, 0.2 overs), 2-7 (Smith, 1.4), 3-12 (Samson, 2.5), 4-42 (Lomror, 8.1), 5-98 (Buttler, 13.3), 6-108 (Tom Curran, 14.4), 7-113 (Tewatia, 15.2), 8-115 (Shreyas, 15.5), 9-136 (Archer, 17.6).
MUMBAI INDIANS BOWLING: Boult 4-0-26-2, Bumrah 4-0-20-4, Pattinson 3.1-0-19-2, Rahul Chahar 3-0-24-1, Krunal 2-0-22-0, Pollard 2-0-24-1.
