Disaster struck Mumbai Indians (MI) early on in their IPL 2024 match against Rajasthan Royals at Wankhede Stadium on April 1. Batting first, their top order crumbled under the pressure of Trent Boult's fiery spell. The New Zealand pacer ran riot, dismissing Rohit Sharma and Naman Dhir for golden ducks in his very first over, leaving Mumbai reeling at a shocking 1 for 2. The misery continued in the second over with Boult dismissing Dewald Brevis for another duck, reducing them to a precarious 14 for 3. Ishan Kishan briefly offered some hope with a six and a four against Nandre Burger, but Burger got his revenge in the fourth over, dismissing Kishan to leave Mumbai at a precarious 20 for 4.
Mumbai Indians' batting falters
Just when things were looking bleak, Tilak Varma, who scored a fifty in the previous game, and captain Hardik Pandya steadied the ship with a much-needed 56-run partnership. However, their momentum was halted by Yuzvendra Chahal, who dismissed Pandya for 34.
With the score at 76 for 5 in the 10th over, Mumbai Indians decided to send in Piyush Chawla ahead of the big-hitting Tim David, hoping to consolidate the innings.
The gamble on Piyush Chawla backfired for Mumbai Indians. The leg-spinner, sent in to steady the innings, could only manage three runs off six balls before a spectacular catch by Shimron Hetmyer ended his stay. Facing the first ball of the 12th over, Chawla attempted a delicate flick off a short and wide delivery from Avesh Khan. He aimed the ball beyond backward point, where Hetmyer was stationed. While Chawla's placement wasn't bad, he underestimated the West Indian's athleticism. Hetmyer launched himself to his right, snagged the ball with both hands, and sent Chawla packing with a breathtaking display of fielding.
Watch Shimron Hetmyer's jaw-dropping catch here
Chawala's wicket left Mumbai reeling at 83/6. Their trouble didn't end their as they could only add 42 runs to their run tally before getting bowled out for 125/9. Trent Boult and Yuzvendra Chahal remained the wrecker-in-chiefs for MI with three wickets each.
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