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IPL PHOTOS: Anderson finally lives up to promise
Corey Anderson finally lived up to promise. The New Zealander smashed an amazing 44-ball 95 to help Mumbai Indians beat Rajasthan Royals and make the play-offs of the Indian Premier League on Sunday night.
Required to chase down 190 in 14.3 overs, Mumbai were tied with Rajasthan after 14.3.
A boundary was required off the next ball, and Aditya Tare smashed one out of the park to spark wild celebrations at the Wankhede stadium.
Earlier, Sanju Samson struck a masterful 74 to guide Rajasthan to a competitive total.
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Rajasthan begin well
Under pressure, Rajasthan Royals tinkered with their batting line-up, promoting Sanju Samson and Shane Watson as openers.
Samson started with a boundary off Corey Anderson in the first over itself.
He again latched on to Anderson, hitting him for consecutive boundaries to ensure Rajasthan were off to a decent start.
Harbhajan Singh then struck, as he removed Watson for 8.
The Aussies, who faced 18 balls, looked to attack the off-spinner and chipped down the track only to hit to Kieron Pollard.
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Nair, Samson strengthen Rajasthan's stand
Karun Nair and Samson then combined well for Rajasthan, putting on a 100-run stand for second wicket.
Samson slog-swept Shreyas Gopal into the stands.
Nair too got into the act, attacking his state-mate Gopal and smashing him for a six and three boundaries.
Nair then repeated the stroke, smashing Pragyan Ojha for a six and couple of boundaries.
Meanwhile, Samson completed his half-century with a single off Ojha.
Harbhajan was not spared too as the duo smashed a six and boundary off the veteran spinner.
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Rajasthan up the ante in final overs
Jasprit Bumrah then provided the breakthrough by removing Nair for 50. The 26-ball knock included seven boundaries and two sixes.
Shreyas Gopal then removed the other set batsman, Sanju Samson, for 74 to leave Rajasthan in a spot of bother.
Gopal enticed Samson to play a false stroke and had him caught at point by Harbhajan.
But James Faulkner and Brad Hodge ensured that Mumbai did not run away with the game with a vital 49-run stand.
Faulkner took on Harbhajan, hitting him for consecutive sixes and a boundary.
Hodge sent Pollard into the stands and finished the innings on a high with a boundary off the final ball.
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Mumbai lose Simmons early
Mumbai, who were required to chase down the score in 87 balls, started off on a good note.
Lendl Simmons, who has already struck a century in the IPL, smashed three boundaries off the opening over to make his intentions clear.
He, however, couldn’t last long, dismissed by Dhawal Kulkarni in the next over itself.
Simmons tried to slog a length delivery from Kulkarni only to hit it to Faulkner at mid-on.
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Anderson's big hitting surprises Royals
Corey Anderson was promoted up the order to attack Royals, and did just that!
Watson introduced himself and was welcomed with a boundary by Anderson.
The left-hander followed it up with a huge six over deep mid-wicket.
Anderson rounded off the over with a streaky boundary to make it a 15-run over.
He then attacked Dhawal Kulkarni, hitting him for a six. Mike Hussey used the long handle to smash one of his own.
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Cooper's double checks Mumbai's chase
Kevon Cooper struck in his opening over itself as he had Mike Hussey walking back for 22.
He bowled one full and Hussey failed to plug the gap between bat and pad and was comprehensively bowled.
Kieron Pollard, promoted up the order, hit a six, following which he had to make the walk back.
Cooper followed it with a slower one and had Pollard caught at square leg by Hodge.
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Anderson, Rayudu take the game away from Rajasthan
Anderson continued his big-hitting spree and found an able partner in the form of Ambati Rayudu.
He completed his half-century with a six off Dhawal Kulkarni off just 24 balls.
Rayudu, who came in after the fall of skipper Rohit Sharma’s wicket, hit the boundary boards off the first ball he faced.
Mumbai kept getting a boundary an over. Rayudu hit a six to make the equation two runs from one ball in just 14.2 overs.
He then dabbed one and took off – Shane Watson missed the stumps as Rayudu turned for the overthrow.
But Rayudu was way out of his crease and Samson whipped the bails off.
It was high drama at the Wankhede as Mumbai needed a boundary to qualify and Faulkner obliged by bowling a juicy leg stump delivery, which Tare dispatched into the stands.