Jaipur: Rajasthan Royals' newly appointed skipper Steve Smith struck fifty as RR thrashed Rohit's Sharma's Mumbai Indians by five wickets in an Indian Premier League encounter on Saturday at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
In desperate need of a win to keep their slim playoff chances alive, Rajasthan openers Sanju Samson and Ajinkya Rahane gave their side a decent start adding 39 runs for the first wicket in just four overs. Rahul Chahar broke RR's opening partnership by first removing Rahane in the fourth over and then he again strikes in 8th over to dismiss Sanju Samson. During his stay, Samson scored 35 runs off 19 balls with the help of six fours and one six.
Rahul Chahar, who was the standout performer for Mumbai with the ball, dismissed both Samson and Ben Stokes in a single over to bring Mumbai back into the game.
Batting at number four young Riyan Parag took charge of Rajasthan's innings along with his skipper Steve Smith. The duo added 70 runs for the fourth wicket and took Rajasthan close to victory.
Parag smashed 43 runs for his side before he was run-out in the 18th over of the game. The youngers struck five fours and one six during his stay.
Following Parag's dismissal, Ashton Turner joined his countryman at the crease but was removed by Jasprit Bumrah for a golden duck.
Earlier, Quinton De Kock smashed 65 runs off 47 balls as Mumbai Indians posted a modest total of 162 runs in front of Steve Smith-led Rajasthan Royals in an Indian Premier League encounter, here on Saturday.
Put into to bat first, Mumbai Indians start was a bit rocky as they lost their skipper Rohit Sharma in third over when Mi's scoreboard read 11 runs. Following Rohit's departure, Suryakumar Yadav joined in-form Quinton de Kock at the crease and the duo established visitors innings by putting up 97-run for the second wicket.
Rajasthan all-rounder Stuart Binny broke De Kock, and Suryakumar Yadav's partnership by removing the later from the attack and soon South African star followed suit.
During his stay at the crease, De Kock demolished Rajasthan's bowling as he smashed 65 runs off 57 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes.
Mumbai's West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya joined hands in 15th overs to take Mi's innings forward. However, Jaydev Unadkat dismissed Pollard in 17th over and kept Rajasthan in the hunt.
Rajasthan's English all-rounder Jofra Archer dismissed Hardik Pandya in the very last over of MI's innings. During his stay, Hardik scored 23 runs off 15 balls.
