« Back to article | Print this article |
Rajasthan Royals pacer Vikramjeet Malik took three wickets and Sanju Samson hit a fluent half-century to lift Rajasthan Royals to a seven-wicket victory against Rajasthan Royals in the opening match of the Champions League T20 in Jaipur, on Saturday.
- Scorecard
Malik struck early when he dismissed opener Dwayne Smith leg before wicket for nine with one that kept low in his very first over. Dinesh Karthik also perished early when he was bowled by Malik after struggling for two from 11 balls. He emerged as the best bowler for Rajasthan, claiming three for 24 in four overs as Mumbai were restricted to 142 for seven before Samson's sparkling innings of 54 helped the hosts clinch victory with two balls to spare.
Veteran Sachin Tendulkar also failed with the bat and was caught behind off Stuart Binny for 15.
Ambati Rayudu (3) was run out after a misunderstanding with Rohit Sharma to leave Mumbai Indians reeling on 43 for four in the ninth over.
Rohit rallied Mumbai Indians with a good innings of 44 from 37 balls, laced with three fours and two sixes.
He put 52 runs for the fifth wicket with Kieron Pollard before he was caught behind off Shane Watson.
Pollard used the long handle to good effect in the final overs to provide the much-needed boost for Mumbai Indians.
Pollard slammed 42 from 36 balls, with the help of four fours and two sixes, to take Mumbai Indians to 142 for seven in their 20 overs. They slammed 55 runs in the last five overs while losing three wickets in the process.
Rajasthan Royals captain Rahul Dravid was dismissed in the second over, when he was caught at point off Nathan Coulter-Nile for one.
Ajinkya Rahane and Sanju Samson rallied Rajasthan Royals after the early wicket of Dravid with a steady partnership of 74 runs for the second wicket.
Rahane stroked 33 from 31 balls before he dragged one back to his stumps to be bowled by Rishi Dhawan.
Samson shone with a splendid half-century that took the game away from Mumbai Indians.
He hit a quickfire 54 from 47 balls with the help of eight fours to put Rajasthan firmly in control before he was caught at deep midwicket of Kieron Pollard.
Shane Watson and Stuart Binny hit 27 each off 22 and 14 deliveries respectively to take Rajasthan to a seven-wicket victory with two balls to spare.
Binny finished off things in style as he heaved Coulter-Nile over long-on for a six to take his team to victory.