Rajasthan clinches another victory!

JAIPUR: “ Fabulous! Wonderful! Excellent!” These were the words you could hear from commentators last evening for Rajasthan team! Effort by Rajasthan team was completely awesome and full of entertainment!

Neeraj Patel and Ravindra Jadeja proved instrumental in clinching a thrilling five-wicket win for Rajasthan Royals off the last ball against Mumbai. Rajasthan needed two runs to win off the last ball.

The two left handers came to bat at 77 for five. The tremendous energy levels of these batsmen took their team to a seventh straight victory. The match was a tough battle fought till the end by both the sides.

Now the T20 equations are completely changed. Rajasthan’s win has ensured a semifinal entry for Delhi while Mumbai would face elimination from the knock out should Chennai beat Hyderabad today.

Mumbai was unable to perform in its crucial campaign against a side unconquered on home ground. Batting first, Mumbai was restricted to 145 only.

Mumbai was tense and slow to begin with. The openers Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya who are known for bombarding the bowlers, did not bat the way they were expected.

Jayasuriya made 38 runs and was out when his catch was taken by Pankaj off Trivedi. Much was depending upon the bat of Sachin but he was out at 30 when he was bowled and caught by Trivedi. He was followed by Nayar who was Lbw at a ball by Tanvir at 25.

R. Uthappa was sent back on a ball by Warne at 3 runs. D. Smith also failed to cling to the pitch. He was out when his catch was taken by Patel off Tanvir at 8 runs.

The South African hope S. Pollock was sent back to the pavilion by Tanvir at duck. M. Pandey was also victim of Tanvir at just 3 runs. Y. Takawale was 24 not out. R. Raje was not out at 1. So Mumbai made 145 runs after losing 7 wickets in 20 overs.

The best treat for the fans was the renewed rivalry between Tendulkar and Warne after 8 years. But Warne proved better in this match.

Sohail Tanvir captured 4 wickets in a heap that restricted the visitors. On Rajasthan’s part the opening was not that pleasant. The opener Akmal was run out by Pandey at 18 run. S.Asnodkar could not perform well as his catch was taken by Takawale off Fernando at 17 runs.

He was followed by Y. Pathan whose catch was taken by Nehra off Fernando at mere 2. S.Watson was out at 18 off Raje when Tendulkar took his catch. M.Kaif was run out at 12. R.Jadeja went 23 not out along with N. Patel 40 not out. This total of 63 given by these batsmen proved match winner for Warne’s team.

The match was really tough for both the teams but the results proved sweet for Rajasthan and bitter for Mumbai!