IPL Match 45: Ben Stokes and Sanju Samson lead RR to a big win over MI
Ben Stokes and Sanju Samson partnership ensure that
Rajasthan Royals chase down a massive target in style against defending
Champions Mumbai Indians played at Sheikh Zayed International Stadium, Abu
Dhabi on Sunday.
Mumbai Indians captain Kieron Pollard won the toss and
decided to bat first. It was not an ideal start as Quinton de Kock was
dismissed by Jofra Archer taking the inside edge onto the stumps. Ishan Kishan
and Surya Kumar Yadav played with positive intent putting pressure on RR
bowlers. At the end of the first six overs, Mumbai Indians made 59 for 1.
Kishan and Surya Kumar Yadav made the batting look easy to
put enough pressure on RR bowlers. At the end of the first timeout, MI looked
in a comfortable position at 79 for 1. A sensational one-handed catch by Jofra
Archer at long-off ended the innings for Kishan. Kishan and Surya Kumar Yadav
added 83 runs for the 2nd wicket. RR fought back strongly as Gopal
dismissed Surya Kumar with an easy catch to Stokes at long-off. In the same
over, Gopal produced a beauty to dismiss dangerous Pollard to leave Mumbai
Indians in trouble at 101 for 4.
Hardik Pandya came to the crease and took few balls to settle
while Saurabh Tiwary showed his after struggling initially. At the end of the
second timeout, MI made 116 for 4. Pandya upped the ante for Mumbai Indians
hitting 27 runs off Ankit Rajpoot in the 18th over. Archer broke
through getting rid of Tiwary with an easy catch at long-on. Tiwary and Hardik
put on 64 runs for the 5th wicket. Hardik Pandya smashed Karthik
Tyagi in the final over taking him for 27 runs. During the course of the innings,
Hardik completed his fifty off 20 balls. Mumbai Indians posted 195 for 5 in 20
overs.
Chasing 196 runs to win, Robin Uthappa faced most of the
balls in the first two overs. James Pattinson struck for MI getting rid of Uthappa
with an easy catch to Pollard at mid-on. Steve Smith and Stokes took the attack
with aggressive strokes to make life tough for the opposition. Pattinson
provided the relief for MI dismissing Smith with an inside edge and onto leg
stump. Stokes looked in an aggressive mood. At the end of the first six overs, RR
made 55 for 2.
After the field restrictions, Stokes continued his attacking
approach making life tough for MI. At the end of the first timeout, RR scored
75 for 2. Hardik Pandya dropped a tough chance of Ben Stokes. Stokes showed his
class and completed his fifty off 28 balls. Samson joined the party with
aggressive strokes never letting Mumbai Indians settle. Pollard bought in
Bumrah to breakthrough, but Stokes and Samson created enough pressure on MI
bowlers. At the end of the second timeout, RR made 172 for 2. Samson reached
his third fifty off the tournament off 27 balls.
It was amazing hitting by both Stokes and Samson who looked
in complete control. Stokes reached his second IPL century off 59 balls. He
ended the innings with a boundary to help RR register a remarkable 8 wicket
win. Samson and Stokes put on unbeaten 152 runs for the 3rd wicket.
For his match-winning knock of 107*, Ben Stokes was named
the man of the match award. With this win, RR moves up to 10 points. Chennai
Super Kings are officially out after RR won today.
Rajasthan Royals 196 for 2 in 18.2 overs (Stokes 107*, Samson 54*, Pattinson 2/40) beat Mumbai Indians 195 for 5 in 20 overs ( Hardik Pandya 60*, Surya Kumar Yadav 40, Archer 2/31) by 8 wickets.
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