 Mumbai Indians thrash Rajasthan Royals
8th May 2008 08:00 IST
Agencies
Earlier, Rajasthan Royals had a total off-day with the bat even as the home team excelled on the field and this was the reason for their rout.
Table-toppers Rajasthan Royals put up a pathetic batting display against an inspired Mumbai Indians and were shot out for a paltry 103 in only 16.2 overs.
For the second match running, the home team excelled on the field and also bowled with purpose to skittle out the visitors for a measly score and placed themselves in line for their third straight victory after losing their first four games.
Going into their seventh tie without regular captain Sachin Tendulkar's services, the home team rocked the visitors with superb first spells by stand-in captain Shaun Pollock and Ashish Nehra, their most successful bowler.
A plucky and somewhat lucky 39 in 36 balls by opener Swapnil Asnodkar and an attacking 32 by Australian all-rounder Watson were the only bright spots in the Rajasthan Royals' all-too-forgettable batting effort.
Put in to bat, the visitors made a poor start by losing two early wickets before being revived by the aggressive Watson, who struck four fours and a six in his 20-ball knock, and Asnodkar thorough a third wicket partnership worth 53 runs in 29 balls.
The visiting team, who came into the tie on the back of five straight wins after having lost their first tie in the tournament, were rocked by Pollock and Nehra and were 21/2 in the fourth over, a beginning from which they never recovered fully. |
