IPL 2018, RR vs MI: Rajasthan scoring 18 runs off the 19th over is the SK Turning Point of the Match
The Rajasthan Royals pulled off a three-wicket victory against the Mumbai Indians in a thrilling encounter that went down to the last over at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday (April 22).
The visitors won the toss and in a surprising decision, decided to bat first against the Ajinkya Rahane-led side. They put up a total of 167-7 in their quota of 20 overs, and they were restricted to it due to some brilliant death bowling from the Royals,
Mumbai have been finding themselves in the most tightly-contested matches so far in the tournament and unfortunately for them, have found themselves on the losing side at the end of them all. This game too was taken to the last over due to a terrific comeback by Rohit Sharma's bowlers in the last five overs of the chase.
Jasprit Bumrah, in particular, turned things around with his impeccable effort in the 17th over of the game, wherein he picked up two crucial wickets to cripple the RR batting order. However, the next over by the same bowler ended up being the SK Turning Point of the match.
The 23-year-old was entrusted with the responsibility of seeing off the penultimate over of the chase when the hosts required 28 runs off 12 deliveries to win the game. A regular cricket fan would've put their money on the bowler doing the job for MI with his pinpoint yorkers.
However, he was thrashed for as many as 18 runs in the over, thanks to a batting onslaught from Jofra Archer and K Gowtham. The Karnataka batsman played a memorable cameo in the game, and it was his calm head that saw Rajasthan through at the end of it all.
The first delivery of the over was slammed past point by Jofra Archer, who had a terrific IPL debut on the day. He couldn't do much more with the bat but picked up three crucial wickets in the first innings of the game.
Bumrah's old nemesis, the no-ball, was back to haunt him midway through the 19th over. Counting the double RR scored off the free-hit, the one delivery cost MI 4 runs there.
After that, Gowtham went on a rampage, as he scored 8 runs off the last three deliveries off the over. They came through two boundaries and those hits from the all-rounder ended up in the swapping of fortunes on the day.
After that, the home side required just 10 overs off the last over and despite losing a wicket off its very first ball, they were able to clinch the two points with a victory on the day.
Rajasthan Royals now have a relatively long layoff before their next game, where they will take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad at home next Sunday (April 29). Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, will take on the same opposition on Tuesday (April 24).
The Men in Blue have not gotten off to a good start to the tournament so far, and need to get back on their feet soon so as to put up a significant challenge for one of the playoff spots.
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