NEW DELHI: In a lop-sided Indian Premier League encounter on Monday, a rampaging Rajasthan Royals crushed five-time champions Mumbai Indians by nine wickets at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
Sandeep Sharma's exceptional bowling performance -- a maiden IPL five-wicket haul -- first restricted Mumbai Indians to 179/9 and then opener Yashasvi Jaiswal showcased his batting prowess, smashing a magnificent unbeaten century as Royals overhauled the target with 8 balls to spare.
Finishing as RR's top-scorer in the chase with an unbeaten 104 runs off 60 balls, the Jaiswal ton was laced with nine fours and seven sixes.
With the century, Jaiswal also returned to form and credited the team management and skipper Sanju Samson for giving him opportunities and having faith in him.
"I really enjoyed it from the start and was trying to make sure that I was watching the ball and playing my cricketing shots. I am trying to keep doing what I do. I didn't have anything in my mind," Jaiswal said at the post-match presentation.
"I really want to thank all my seniors for the way they have guided me. I would like to thank Sanga sir and Sanju bhai for giving me opportunities. Trying my best in practice and on the ground," Jaiswal added.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is now the first player to score two centuries in IPL before turning 23
124 vs MI Wankhede 2023 (21y 123d)
104*vs MI Jaipur 2024 (22y 116d)
Earlier, Trent Boult struck early by dismissing Rohit Sharma, while Sandeep Sharma's remarkable spell dismantled MI's top order, before Tilak Varma and Nehal Wadehera mounted a spirited counterattack for MI.
Sandeep Sharma returned to claim three more wickets, completing his five-for.
Rajasthan, who won the inaugural IPL in 2008 under late Australian hero Shane Warne, on Monday registered their seventh win in eight matches this IPL season.
