IPL 2021 | RR vs MI: What Experts Said after Mumbai Indians thrash Rajasthan Royals to climb the NRR ladder

Mumbai Indians were on song against Rajasthan Royals in Sharjah to keep their playoff hopes alive. Chasing the modest target of 91, the Mumbai side rode on a spectacular batting performance from Ishan Kishan who was included in the XI in place of Quinton de Kock to go over the line by 8 wickets in the 9th over. 

Ishan remained unbeaten at 50 off 25 deliveries which included five fours and three maximums during the course. 

MI lost captain Rohit Sharma early in the innings for a 13-ball 22 while the team scoresheet read 23. Later, Suryakumar Yadav who had come in at number three position failed to leave an impact and was undone for 13 by Mustafizur Rahman. 

But Surya’s didn’t really have any impact on Ishan’s scoring-rate as the left-hander along with Hardik Pandya saw MI home. 

Earlier, in the day, the Royals struggled to put any pressure on the Mumbai Indians’ bowling unit and lost wickets at regular intervals to get reduced to 76/8 and eventually get restricted at 90/9 in 20 overs. 

MI seamers just ripped through the RR batting unit. While Nathan Coulter-Nile scalped a four-wicket haul at the cost of 14 runs in 4 overs, Jimmy Neesham returned with a three-fer in 4 overs and gave just 12 runs. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah returned with figures of 2/14 in 2 overs. 

RR captain Sanju Samson put the onus on the pitch and said that it was a challenging one to bat on. 

“It was a bit challenging wicket to bat on, it was tougher in the first innings. Coming from Abu Dhabi, playing in Sharjah was a massive difference. Can't blame the batsmen a lot, but it was tough to bat in the first innings,” he said during the post-match presentation. 

MI skipper Rohit Sharma pointed that the side has taken the two crucial points and also lavished praise on Ishan Kishan for his knock. 

“We had to come here and do what we had to do. The two points were very crucial for us. Once we had them bowled out for 90, we had a chance to finish it early. It is important to seize the game. We had to come out and bat freely. We had a chance to get the run rate in order. Was a perfect game for us. He (Kishan) is playing after a couple of games. I was there to take the risks. We know his ability,” he said. 

Experts’ Opinion

Commentator Harsha Bhogle lauded MI for their batting. “Now, that was some batting!!” He wrote on Twitter. 

Journalist Ayaz Memon criticised RR for their performance while hailing the way MI fared. “RR roundly thrashed for a rubbish performance, with bat and ball. MI brutal in both departments, seizing on weaknesses to notch ip massive win, improve their NRR and keep hopes of place in play offs alive,” he tweeted. 

Former India pacer Irfan Pathan hailed Ishan Kishan after his brutal knock. “Ishan Kishan back to form. Highlight of the day on this sluggish pitch and game,” Pathan tweeted. 

Former India bowler RP Singh pointed out the positives for Team India after MI clinched a massive win against RR. 

“So many positive for Team India in this Mumbai Indians win. Rohit Sharma touch and intent, Ishan Kishan among runs. Rajasthan Royals lost a great opportunity today,” he wrote on Twitter. 

RR will now play KKR in Sharjah on October 7 while MI will lock horns with SRH in Abu Dhabi.