IPL 2021: Mumbai Thump Rajasthan To Keep Playoffs Hopes Alive

Cricket Image for IPL 2021: Mumbai Thump Rajasthan To Keep Playoffs Hopes Alive (Image Source: Google)

Nathan Coulter-Nile and James Neesham combined to help Mumbai Indians thump Rajasthan Royals in the 51st match of IPL 2021 in Sharjah and keep playoffs hopes alive. 

Chasing a modest total of 91, MI smashed 56 inside the powerplay. While Rohit Sharma hit 22 from 13, Suryakumar Yadav scored just 13 - the two were the only batters to get out during the chase. 

Ishan Kishan, who was making his comeback after being given a break of few games, smashed 50 while opening the innings and finished the run chase in just 8.2 overs. Kishan reached his fifty in 25 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes. 

This win has boosted Mumbai's net run rate but they still hope to get a few results in their favor to qualify for the IPL playoffs. 

Earlier, RR was asked to bat first. Yashasvi Jaiswal(12) and Evin Lewis(24) tried to give another good start to the team but failed to continue as Rajasthan got reduced to 3/41 in six overs, and 90/9 at the end of 20 overs. 

Coulter-Nile and Neesham were wrecker-in-chief who combined seven wickets among themselves as Royals collapsed to their lowest IPL 2021 total. Jasprit Bumrah also got two wickets to keep the pressure going. 

RR is practically out of the race to playoffs after a heavy defeat today. 

Brief Scorecard: 

Rajasthan Royals - 90/9 (Evin Lewis - 24; Nathan Coulter-Nile - 4/14)
Mumbai Indians - 94/2 in 8.2 overs (Ishan Kishan - 50*, Rohit Sharma - 22)