Trent Boult earned player of the match award with his brilliant bowling performance 3/22 (4) | © iplt20.com
The 14th match of IPL 2024 was a forgettable night for the Mumbai Indians faithful at the Wankhede Stadium. Their team, which has dominated the IPL for years, was comprehensively outplayed by a clinical Rajasthan Royals outfit. Chasing a below-par total of 125 set by Mumbai, Rajasthan secured a comfortable 6-wicket victory with 27 balls to spare.
RR opted to bowl first, winning the toss, hoping to capitalize on the favorable conditions. MI, batting first, faced a tough challenge from the RR bowlers. Despite a promising start from their openers, MI struggled to maintain momentum throughout their innings. They managed to post a modest total of 125/9 in their allotted 20 overs.
Hardik Pandya, leading the MI side, played a vital knock, scoring 34 runs off 21 balls, injecting some much-needed impetus into the innings. However, the RR bowlers, led by the spin wizard Yuzvendra Chahal, kept the MI batters in check. Chahal’s impressive spell of 3 wickets for just 11 runs in 4 overs dented MI’s progress. Additionally, Trent Boult’s disciplined bowling performance, claiming 3 wickets for 22 runs, further hampered MI’s scoring rate.
In response to the target set by MI, RR started their innings with confidence. Despite losing some early wickets, they remained composed and focused on their chase. Riyan Parag emerged as the star for RR, playing a brilliant unbeaten innings of 54 runs off 39 balls. His mature approach and ability to anchor the innings were commendable, guiding RR closer to the target.
With consistent performances throughout their lineup, RR chased down the target comfortably in just 15.3 overs, clinching a convincing 6-wicket win over MI. Trent Boult’s outstanding bowling display earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award, highlighting his crucial role in RR’s victory.
Mumbai Indians’ bowlers, especially Akash Madhwal, who scored three wickets, tried their best to defend the low score. However, the lack of runs on the board meant they were always playing catch-up. This convincing win puts Rajasthan Royals firmly at the top of the points table. They have displayed excellent form throughout the tournament, and their bowling attack has been a critical factor in their success. On the other hand, Mumbai Indians have much soul-searching to do. Their batting has been a significant concern, and they must figure things out fast to keep their chances of making it to the playoffs.
Match Summary
Mumbai Indians 125/9 (20) | |
| Hardik Pandya (c) 34 (21) | Yuzvendra Chahal 3/11 (4) |
| Tilak Varma 32 (29) | Trent Boult 3/22 (4) |
| Tim David 17 (24) | Nandre Burger 2/32 (4) |
Rajasthan Royals 127/4 (15.3) | |
| Riyan Parag 54* (39) | Akash Madhwal 3/20 (4) |
| Ravichandran Ashwin 16 (16) | Kwena Maphaka 1/23 (2) |
| Jos Buttler 13 (16) | Piyush Chawla 0/18 (3) |
Toss: RR won the toss and decided to bowl first.
Stadium: Wankhede Stadium
Result: RR won by 6 wickets (27 balls left)
Player of the Match: Trent Boult (RR) – 3/22 (4)
