Shane Watson asked Mumbai Indians to bat first after winning the toss. Mumbai began well with Parthiv Patel and Lendl Simmons collecting 43 runs in the fifth over, when Patel fell caught and bowled to Dhawal Kulkarni. Mumbai lost Simmons and Unmukt Chand as well and by the 11th over, they reached 84/3. Rohit Sharma and Rayudu added 36 runs for the fourth wicket but Sharma also fell to leave Mumbai at 120/4 in 15th over. The scoring rate at this stage had dropped considerably and not many overs remained. But Rayudu and Pollard played attacking knocks under trying circumstances and pushed up the scoring. Over no. 17 went for 13 runs, 18th for 20 runs, 19th for 16 and the last over realized 12 despite Pollard falling on the fourth ball. Mumbai reached 187/5 with Rayudu remaining unbeaten on a 27-ball 53 that included 4 fours and 3 sixes.
The chase of 188 wasn’t so difficult for Rajasthan Royals, who have a very strong batting line-up beginning with the Orange-Cap holder Ajinkya Rahane. In Shane Watson, Steve Smith, Sanju Samson, Stuart Binny, Karun Nair and Deepak Hooda, they have batsmen, who are capable of turning the tide in any game. Though Rahane went out cheaply, Watson had Sanju Samson for company. The two of them added 41 in 4 overs before Watson was bowled by Suchith. But Samson and Steve Smith added 56 for the third wicket and RR looked on course with Samson taking control in his hands. The 20-year old batsman from Kerala struck the MI bowlers with vengeance. He looked unstoppable until he was snapped at the long-off boundary in the 18th over. His departure was immediately followed by two more wickets and Mumbai were back in the driver’s seat. In the last two overs, Malinga and Vinay Kumar ensured that they didn’t yield too many runs and Mumbai rode their luck to score their third win this season. Mumbai have a great chance of improving their standing, when they go to Mohali on Sunday to play against the beleaguered Kings Eleven.