JAIPUR: Having endured a lean patch that lasted seven outings, Yashasvi Jaiswal finally struck form with an unbeaten 104 off 60 balls, his second IPL hundred, as he guided Rajasthan Royals to a nine-wicket win over an unimpressive Mumbai Indians at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Monday.
The star batsman, who struck nine fours and seven sixes, ensured the Royals's chase of a 180-run target was smooth sailing. The hosts finished the chase with eight balls remaining.
Yashasvi first collaborated with Jos Buttler (35 off 25 balls) for a 74-run partnership and then added unbeaten 109 with skipper Sanju Samson (38 not out off 28 balls).
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Earlier, braving the potent bowling attack of Royals, youngsters Tilak Varma (65 off 45 balls) along with Nehal Wadhera (49 off 24 balls) guided Mumbai to a respectable 179/9 in 20 overs. After being reduced to 52/4 in 7.3 overs, the duo revived Mumbai, countering the hosts with a 99-run partnership after all the big names in the side failed to step up.
At the backend of the innings, it was death-overs specialist Sandeep Sharma who struck thrice to ensure the Royals were back among wickets as he eventually finished with 4-0-18-5. Making most of the early swing on offer after being made to bowl first, Trent Boult and Sandeep gave Royals a flying start as the first two overs saw openers Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan trudge off the field with Mumbai Indians teetering at 6/2.
Things started looking precarious for the visitors when flamboyant Suryakumar Yadav failed to get going after being snuffed out by Sharma in the fourth over.
Boult's penchant to effect a dismissal in the first over this time saw big fish Rohit fall in his trap. After hitting the seamer for six runs in the first four balls, the former Mumbai captain miscued a length delivery while attempting a lofted shot and Sanju Samson pouched it safely.
Sandeep, who was coming back from an injury, accounted for Kishan's scalp in the second over. The Mumbai youngster paid the price of poking a delivery that swung away, landing in Samson's big gloves. Sandeep followed up with Suryakumar's wicket in the third over.
Finishing his first spell for 2-4, 30-year-old IPL veteran Sandeep proved effective in the Powerplay, where he was utilized for the first time in this season.
1/9:Sandeep Sharma nails fifer as Rajasthan Royals beat Mumbai Indians
<p>Sandeep Sharma nails fifer as Rajasthan Royals beat Mumbai Indians</p>AFP
2/9:Unbeaten 104
<p>Yashasvi Jaiswal's unbeaten 104 led Rajasthan Royals to a dominant nine-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians, strengthening their position at the top of the IPL table.</p>AFP
3/9:Indian Bowlers shine
<p>Sandeep Sharma's remarkable 5-18 restricted Mumbai Indians to 179-9, supported by Yuzvendra Chahal's milestone achievement of claiming 200 IPL wickets at Rajasthan's home ground.</p>AFP
4/9:Sanju supports the cause
<p>Jaiswal's splendid innings, including nine fours and seven sixes, guided Rajasthan to victory alongside skipper Sanju Samson, who contributed 38 runs.</p>AFP
5/9:Proper cricketing shots
<p>Reflecting on his performance, Jaiswal emphasized the importance of focusing on proper cricketing shots and enjoying the game without overthinking.</p>AFP
6/9:Rampant RR
<p>Rajasthan Royals, one-time IPL champions, have now secured their seventh win in eight matches, building on their legacy established during the inaugural IPL season.</p>AFP
7/9:The Sharma-Chahal show
<p>Sandeep Sharma's five-wicket haul earned him the well-deserved title of man of the match, overshadowing Chahal's milestone as he dismantled Mumbai's batting lineup.</p>AFP
8/9:Chahal—a bit expensive
<p>Chahal's achievement was notable, despite conceding 48 runs in four overs, as he celebrated the milestone with teammates amidst the match's intensity.</p>AFP
