IPL 2018, MI vs RR: Hits and Misses

Another unbeaten 90+ score from Buttler took RR to their fifth win of the season.

In a crucial encounter, Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and sent Mumbai Indians into bat first. Mumbai started really well with the openers Suryakumar Yadav and Evin Lewis putting on a very good 87-run stand. But Jofra Archer took two wickets in two balls and brought Rajasthan Royals back in the game.

RR then picked up wickets at regular intervals as MI slipped from 87/0 to 131/5. It was Hardik Pandya who scored a 21-ball 36 and helped MI to get to 168 in their 20 overs. Archer and Ben Stokes were the standout bowlers for the visitors as they took two wickets apiece and played a key role in restricting MI to an under-par total.

Chasing around 8.5 runs per over, RR lost D’Arcy Short early. But Jos Buttler was once again brilliant and this time he had Ajinkya Rahane (who scored a run-a-ball 37) for company. The duo shared a 95-run stand and it put RR on course for a successful run-chase. Sanju Samson came in and scored a 14-ball 26 as along with Buttler, he helped RR finish the chase with two overs to spare. Buttler was once again superb as he made an unbeaten 94 to guide RR to their 6th win of the season.

#5 Hit: Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer was brilliant as he had figures of 2/16 in his four overs.

Jofra Archer is one of the main reasons for Rajasthan Royals’ good show in the last few games. Archer has been the most consistent bowler for RR in this tournament.

In this game, he came onto bowl in the 3rd over and he conceded just 5 runs. But it was his second over which turned the game on its head. MI had a very good first ten overs as Suryakumar Yadav and Evin Lewis were going very well. But Archer came in and picked up two wickets in successive balls to derail MI’s innings. He bounced Suryakumar Yadav and skipper Rohit Sharma out.

Both batsmen tried to pull and could only managed a top-edge and were out caught at fine-leg. While Suryakumar departed after a well-made 38, Rohit was out for a golden duck as his inconsistent form continued. Archer then bowled a couple of very good overs at the death conceding just 9 runs in his last two overs to cap off an excellent day.