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TATA IPL 2024: Jaiswal's Unbeaten 104 Powers RR to a Dominant Win Over MI
Yashasvi Jaiswal showcased an outstanding performance with an unbeaten century off just 59 balls, while Sandeep Sharma shone with a five-wicket haul, leading Rajasthan Royals to a nine-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in a rain-affected Match 38 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Jaiswal's remarkable innings of 104 not out from 60 deliveries propelled Rajasthan Royals to 183/1 after Sandeep Sharma's figures of 5-18 restricted the five-time IPL champions to 179/9 in their allotted 20 overs, following Mumbai Indians' decision to bat first.
Chasing the target of 180, Jos Buttler, coming off an exceptional performance against Kolkata Knight Riders, was eager to capitalize on Hardik Pandya's bowling. Pandya's initial over featured two well-pitched outswingers, both of which Buttler confidently dispatched to the boundary through covers, accumulating 11 runs. On the other end, Jasprit Bumrah presented a more formidable challenge, resulting in only two singles, one of which was courtesy of a misfield in the covers by Buttler.
In an action-packed first over from Gerald Coetzee to Yashasvi Jaiswal, three boundaries were scored. Jaiswal's innings included a languid six down the ground off the first ball, followed by a searing 150 kph delivery that narrowly missed the keeper's head. Despite a top-edge over the keeper, Jaiswal concluded the over with a measured punch through cover, collecting 14 runs via boundaries and extras. Debutant Nuwan Thushara, after a decent six-run debut over, was then hammered for 17 runs in his second over as Rajasthan ended the Power-play at 61 for no loss.
A 30-minute rain delay allowed Mumbai to regroup a bit, and with spin coming to the fore after the Power-play, veteran Piyush Chawla provided them the breakthrough. He nearly pegged back Jos Buttler's off stump with his third ball, but - after Buttler had nailed one last four with a reverse sweep - got his man with his sixth delivery instead, as Buttler was beaten by the flipper, 94kph and tight to the stumps. The opening stand of 74 in 48 deliveries was broken as Buttler departed after scoring 35 off 25 balls.
After an impressive Test series in England, Jaiswal scored his first IPL half-century in just 31 balls. A stroke of luck came his way when a mistimed shot off Chawla resulted in a leading-edge six due to a dropped catch by Wadhera. At the 10-over mark, Rajasthan was 95 for 1, needing 85 runs from 60 deliveries. Tim David missed a simple chance at midwicket off Hardik Pandya's bowling, marking the second significant miss of the innings. With Rajasthan at 123 for 1 and seven overs left, they had a comfortable task of scoring 57 runs from 42 balls.
Jasprit Bumrah's third and 15th overs became his costliest of the tournament, with a front-foot no-ball and wide setting a bad start. Yashasvi Jaiswal capitalized on the subsequent free hit, smashing it for six over midwicket, adding 16 runs to Bumrah's tally. Rajasthan Royals, needing 29 runs from 30 balls, maintained control. Bumrah's last over leaked 10 runs, concluding his spell at 37 runs without a wicket. Thushara bowled a tight 18th over, yielding just 5 runs. Jaiswal's century off 59 balls sealed the victory for Rajasthan Royals, handing Mumbai Indians their fifth loss of the season by nine wickets.
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