Mumbai Indians gifted Rohit Sharma their first win of the IPL 2022 against Rajasthan Royals after eight consecutive losses.
Suryakumar Yadav (51) and Tilak Varma (35) played important knocks to help Mumbai Indians chase down the target of 161 runs in 19.2 overs against Rajasthan Royals with five wickets in hand in the IPL 2022 clash at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai on Saturday. The win was special for the five-time champions as it got them off the mark after eight consecutive losses in the IPL 2022 and came on their captain Rohit Sharma’s 35th birthday.
READ MORE: IPL 2022: MS Dhoni replaces Ravindra Jadeja as Chennai Super Kings captain
Chasing the decent target, Mumbai Indians openers Ishan Kishan (26) and Rohit Sharma (2), forged a 23-run partnership as a poor run of form for their skipper continued. But Yadav and Varma complimented each other in the middle and set the tone for the chase. Yadav hit five boundaries and two sixes in his 39-ball knock while the youngster smashed one four and two hits over the fence in his 30-ball innings. However, their vice-captain Kieron Pollard (10) could not add much to the team tally, with Tim David scoring 20 runs off nine deliveries to help his side sail over the line.
Jos Buttler (67) maintained his purple patch with a brilliant half-century as MI fought back late to restrict MI to 158/6. Asked to bat, RR openers Devdutt Padikkal (15) and Buttler forged a 26-run stand for the opening wicket, before the former was sent packing. Later, incoming batter Sanju Samson, chipped in with 16 runs off seven deliveries while Daryl Mitchell (17) played a cautious knock off 20 deliveries.
Unperturbed by the dismissals, Buttler continued to play his natural game to bring up his half-century. He smashed five boundaries and four hits over the top in his 57-ball knock while incoming batter Shimron Hetmyer (6 not out) failed to get off the blocks in his unbeaten stay of 14 deliveries. Middle-order batter Riyan Parag (3), too, perished in no time while Ravichandran Ashwin (21) played a fine cameo off nine deliveries which was laced with three boundaries and one six.
Mumbai Indians utlilised six bowlers in the match with Riley Meredith returning figures of two for 24. His spin bowling compatriot and young Hrithik Shokeen also picked up two wickets while debutant Kumar Kartikeya impressed with the figures of 1/19 in his stipulated four overs.