Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians' (MI) disastrous run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 continued as they suffered a six-wicket defeat against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Wankhede stadium on April 1. Five-time champions MI looked off colour from the word go. Put to bat first, they suffered a monumental batting collapse which saw three of their batters (Rohit Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Naman Dhir) returning to pavilion for golden ducks, which was the biggest reason behind their lowly total of 125/9. In reply, Rajasthan Royals easily overhauled the paltry total with six wickets and 27 balls to spare. This was MI's third straight loss in the ongoing season of the IPL as before going down to RR, they were beaten by Gujarat Titans (GT) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to sit at the bottom of the points table.
Hardik Pandya takes blame for MI's defeat
Meanwhile, while speaking to the broadcasters after the conclusion of the match, Hardik blamed no one but himself for MI's defeat. He admitted that he could have done better and his wicket changed the game and brought RR more in the game. Notably, Hardik tried to give impetus to MI's scoreboard with his gritty knock but returned to pavilion after scoring 34 off 21 balls to leave MI teetering at 76/5. And from thereon, trouble only mounted for the Paltans which saw them getting bowled out for a measly 125.
“We didn't start the way we wanted to, tough night tonight. [On his innings] I think we were in a decent position to give us a chance to get to 150 or 160 but I think my wicket changed the game and brought them more in the game and I think I could have done better. [The pitch] It's good to have something for the bowlers as well,” Hardik said after the match.
"The game is quite cruel to the bowlers. But it was unexpected. It's all about doing the right things. Results, sometimes it happens sometimes it doesn't. I don't think much surprises me anymore. But as a group we want to do better and we just need to show more courage," he added.
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RR continued their winning streak, securing their third consecutive victory of the season against MI. This dominant performance was fueled by stellar bowling displays from Trent Boult and Yuzvendra Chahal, followed by a composed chase from the Royals' batting line-up.
Rajasthan Royals restrict Mumbai Indians to 125
The foundation for victory was laid by pacer Trent Boult's fiery opening spell. In a devastating display, Boult ripped through the Mumbai Indians' top order, claiming three crucial wickets within four deliveries – a feat that left them reeling at a precarious 2 for 3. Yuzvendra Chahal then took over the mantle, picking up key wickets including skipper Hardik Pandya and the in-form Tilak Varma. By the end of the innings, MI could only manage a modest total of 125 runs.
Riyan Parag-inspired Royals chase down target with ease
Chasing a manageable target, RR got off to a promising start with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring two boundaries in the first over. However, his innings was cut short by young South African pacer Kwena Maphaka, who dismissed Jaiswal for 10 runs, claiming his first ever IPL wicket. Skipper Sanju Samson also departed soon after, dismissed by Akash Madhwal for 12 runs. Despite the early setbacks, experienced opener Jos Buttler held the innings together. Unfortunately, his knock was also short-lived, as he succumbed to a short delivery from Madhwal, caught by Piyush Chawla for just 13 runs.
Riyan Parag and R Ashwin then steadied the ship with a crucial 40-run partnership. While Ashwin was dismissed for 16 runs, Parag continued to bat aggressively. He found a valuable ally in Shubham Dubey, and together they stitched together an unbeaten 39-run partnership off just 19 deliveries to seal a comfortable victory for the Royals. Parag played a key role in the chase, smashing two sixes in a row to reach his fifty and secure the winning runs.
After the match Riyan said:
"Actually, I've simplified everything instead of trying to do a lot of things. Earlier when I wasn't getting runs I would try a lot of different things. This year, it's just seeing the ball and hitting the ball. When I play domestically this is the exact kind of situations I go into bat. When Jos bhai and Ash bhai got out, I thought to myself this is what I do in domestic cricket. So that's what I calculated/ [On difference between domestic level and IPL level] I have had three-four years of not performing at all. And you really go back to the hotel room and think when you know you can do it and the results are not coming, you go back to the drawing room. I realised I wasn't practicing at this kind of level so I went and did that."
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