Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals - Match 20

That's it from Match 20 in the 2020 Indian T20 League then. On Wednesday, 7th October 2020, Chennai take on Kolkata at 6 pm Local (1400 GMT). The action continues in Abu Dhabi. We hope to have your company again. Till then, take care and good night!

Suryakumar Yadav is the MAN OF THE MATCH. He says that he is feeling much better (regarding the knock on his helmet while batting). Felt that this innings from him was coming. In the earlier games, he was just finding ways to get out, he honestly admits. Surya says he loves the added responsibility at the top of the order. States that the team has asked him to play his natural game. Surya adds that the team winning is the most important feeling. He goes on to say that from the team's point of view he batted right till the end and then the bowlers came and did their job well.

Rohit Sharma, the victorious Mumbai captain, says that they have got quality in their side. States that it is about getting out there and getting the job done. Says that his players are quality players. Adds further that the conditions are very helpful here. He says that initially when the League was decided to happen in the UAE, they were unsure of how the conditions would be. But luckily, he says that the conditions have been helpful. 

Trent Boult is down for a chat. He says that Mumbai had a pretty good gameplan coming in. Says that in this game, in Abu Dhabi, the objective was to take all the wickets and they have done that. States that in this tournament every franchise intimidates you. Says further that in this tournament you can see good contest between bat and ball. 

Steven Smith, Rajasthan's skipper, says that Rajasthan were losing wickets early and that they have not been able to get off to a good start, in the last 3 games. Those are the reasons for not doing well, he says. Hopes Stokes can get well soon. Believes it is about implementing the plans properly which he honestly concedes that they have not done properly in the last three games.

Earlier, after winning the toss, Mumbai opted to bat first. They got off to an excellent start and Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya finished off things well in the end. The former was unbeaten at 79 and ended up registering his highest score in the League. Later, another fantastic display with the ball and the Men in Blue and Gold registered their 4th win in 6 games and have moved back to the top of the points table. Stay with us for the presentation...

Mumbai were stupendous and clinical throughout. They were comprehensive across all departments and thoroughly deserved the victory. 2 catches, one by substitute Anukul Roy and the other one by Pollard to dismiss Buttler were the cream of Mumbai's fielding today. Bumrah was the highlight with the ball, taking 4/20 in his four overs. Pattinson and Boult nabbed a couple each while Chahar and Pollard got one. Krunal and Pollard took a beating in their two overs but in the end, it barely mattered.

With Tom Curran sent up the order, the two Englishmen enjoyed a 56-run stand for the 5th wicket. But eventually, Buttler fell for 70 and the chase was largely done and dusted. The last 5 wickets fell for 38 runs and while the platform looked set for Tewatia to do another Sharjah, it was not to be. A disappointing day in the end for Rajasthan, overall.

Mumbai wiped out Jaiswal, Smith and Samson real quick and that largely set the tone for the victory. At 12/3, you would have felt that all was done and dusted. But Buttler was there. A faint hope? Yes. He and Lomror were looking to stabilize things, going slowly in the chase. That, in turn, started building pressure and Lomror crumbled, 42/4 were Rajasthan then. Buttler then decided enough was enough. He started getting the biggies and continued the hitting after getting to his half ton. However, there was just too much on his shoulders.

A simple win for Mumbai in the end. 57 runs, simple but big. Rohit Sharma is a happy skipper. He salutes the support staff and the owners present in the stadium. There was never really a challenge for them, except Buttler. They braved that, got him and then it was all too easy in the end.

Kartik Tyagi is the last man in. James Pattinson to bowl as well.

Ankit Rajpoot walks in.

Shreyas Gopal comes out to face the music.

Jasprit Bumrah is back on. 2-0-6-1 so far.

DRINKS! Well, nothing much to strategize for Rajasthan here. They need 81 in the last 5 overs. Yes, teams have gotten 80 and more in the last 5 overs many times in the League earlier. They have Tewatia but still, pragmatically, it is more about reducing the margin of defeat as much as possible here.

Jofra Archer comes out now. How much can Rajasthan get from here? 32 balls left. Can they get to 150?

Who is next? Mr. Tewatia. That day he hit 5 sixes in an over against Punjab. Tonight, he might need 10 sixes in 10 balls and still fall short.

James Pattinson returns. 2-0-14-0 so far.

Mumbai and Rajasthan face off in match 20 of the Indian T20 League, 2020 in Abu Dhabi. Both teams have played some exciting games in the past but in their last 5 encounters, Rajasthan have come out on top 4 times out of the 5 which makes them the slight favourites going into this game. But all the previous results won't matter once this game begins. Mumbai after a shaky start to their tournament are coming into this match with 2 wins on the trot and are with momentum on their side. Their batting has been excellent with the middle order looking strong as ever and they would hope that they continue that performance. The bowling has been good with Trent Boult and James Pattinson doing a good job. The spinners too have played a crucial role in helping Mumbai defend scores in the last two games. Rajasthan, on the other hand, started well but they have lost two in a row and they need to get back to winning ways. Jos Buttler has not yet got going and they will want him to find his best touch. Their middle order has blown hot and cold and need to step up against a rampaging Mumbai side. Their bowling has not done badly but if their batters do not step up, it becomes difficult for them. Another interesting clash awaits us. Who will come out on top? Mumbai or Rajasthan?

Mumbai Indians Team Squad -Anmolpreet Singh,Chris Lynn,Kieron Pollard,Rohit Sharma,Saurabh Tiwary,Suryakumar Yadav,Anukul Roy,Hardik Pandya,Krunal Pandya,Sherfane Rutherford,Aditya Tare,Ishan Kishan,Quinton de Kock,Dhawal Kulkarni,Digvijay Deshmukh,James Pattinson,Jasprit Bumrah,Jayant Yadav,Mitchell McClenaghan,Mohsin Khan,Nathan Coulter-Nile,Prince Balwant Rai,Rahul Chahar,Trent Boult

Rajasthan Royals Team Squad -David Miller,Manan Vohra,Riyan Parag,Robin Uthappa,Shashank Singh,Steven Smith,Yashasvi Jaiswal,Ben Stokes,Mahipal Lomror,Rahul Tewatia,Shreyas Gopal,Tom Curran,Anuj Rawat,Jos Buttler,Sanju Samson,Akash Singh,Andrew Tye,Aniruddha Joshi,Ankit Rajpoot,Jaydev Unadkat,Jofra Archer,Kartik Tyagi,Mayank Markande,Oshane Thomas,Varun Aaron