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Picture Credit: BCCI
Mumbai Indians (MI) climbed to the top of the IPL 2025 points table with a commanding 100-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Jaipur on Friday, a result skipper Hardik Pandya credited to a return to basics.
At the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, MI posted a formidable 217/2 on the board, courtesy of strong top-order performances.
Ryan Rickelton struck 61 runs, Rohit Sharma added 53, and both Suryakumar Yadav and Pandya remained unbeaten on 48.
The bowlers then dismantled RR’s batting line-up, skittling them out for just 117 in 16.1 overs.
This dominant win also marked MI’s first victory in Jaipur since 2012 and their sixth straight triumph in the current season, further strengthening their title hopes.
Reflecting on the performance, Pandya stated, “The way we batted, and we were clinical with the ball – so absolutely (a perfect game). We could have got another 15 runs. What we were trying to say to each other was to play percentage shots. Surya and I said there’s value for shots. Ro and Ryan batted the same way.”
“I think it was absolutely fantastic. It is never about people getting chances; it’s about what is required in the situation. People are going back to batsmanship. As a group, the way we batted was proper batsmanship,” he further added.
The MI captain, however, highlighted the importance of adapting to match situations.
“I don’t know who all to mention (among the bowlers). Everyone is really clear. We’re going back to simple cricket, and it’s working for that. We want to take it game by game, and be humble and disciplined,” Pandya further noted.
Rickelton, named Player of the Match, however, expressed his joy after contributing with the bat.
“I have family here as well, come up this week. Really good week. It was a bit of a slow start. We’re clicking nicely as a partnership together. With the weather looming around, we were unsure,” he further asserted.
Rickelton further added, “That’s probably the thing about the IPL (adapting to the conditions). I was guilty in the first quarter of the tournament in trying to do too much. We have such a think tank, senior players, and management group.”
Trent Boult, who took three wickets, praised the execution by MI’s bowling unit, noting, “As a unit, can’t ask for much more than that. Anytime you take 210. It was a good wicket and a good score. Satisfying when it all comes together. Some great experience (in the bowling).”
“T20 cricket is about momentum, and talking and delivering the plans. Luckily, I have some experience out here. One of the better wickets. Jaiswal played some incredible shots out there. Proper nasty-fasty today (from Bumrah). He needs no introduction; he’s a world-class bowler. Good feeling. Looking forward to the next one,” he further added.
With this loss, the Rajasthan Royals are now out of playoff contention.
Stand-in captain Riyan Parag acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, remarking, “You’ve got to give credit to MI for the way they batted. They kept wickets. Yeah, 190-200 would have been ideal. We’ve been getting good starts.”
“But it’s up to the middle order – myself, Dhruv – to step up. We’ve done a lot of things right and wrong. A lot of mistakes and small errors. We want to focus on them, and focus on the good (stuff) as well,” he further added.
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