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Untitled Document
 Rajasthan Royals beat Mumbai Indians in a cliffhanger
27th May 2008 07:01 IST
Agencies
Niraj Patel (40 not out) and Ravindra Jadeja (23 not out) turned heroes by scoring 16 runs from the match-deciding last over to guide Rajasthan Royals to an improbable last-ball 5-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in a nerve-wrecking Indian Premier League match in Jaipur Monday night.
Chasing 146 for victory, the young duo stood tall among ruins to share an unfinished 69-run stand for the 6th wicket to single-handedly decide the fate of the match though aided by some blunders by the Mumbai team.
Monday's result ensured that Delhi Daredevils make it to the semifinals with 15 points from 14 matches while Mumbai Indians (12 points from 13 matches) will have to wait the outcome of Tuesday's match between Chennai Super Kings (14 points from 13 and bottom placed Deccan Chargers in Hyderabad.
If Chennai wins, they will make the grade and Mumbai's match against Bangalore Royal Challengers on Wednesday will be inconsequential as the Mahendra Singh Dhoni led side will get 16 points in that case.
If Chennai loses, Mumbai will have to win against Bangalore and in that case net run rate will decide who will make it to semifinals.
Coming together in the 13th over at their team total of 77/5, Jadeja and Patel braved the odds to inch closer to the target of 146, but to score 16 from the last over seemed difficult if not impossible.
Dilahara Fernando, who bowled the last over conceded a free-hit in the second ball and Niraj took three from it before hitting a six in the third ball and two singles in next two balls.
The drama was not over there with the Sri Lankan bowling a wide in the penultimate ball when Mumbai needed four from two balls.
A single was scored from the legitimate penultimate ball and two runs were needed from the last ball and Fernando slipped the ball past him on his follow through and Sanath Jayasuriya fumbled to collect it from a fielder's throw to allow the batsmen complete two runs sparking wild celebrations amongst the Royals.
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