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Maxwell helped Mumbai get off to a flier

Last updated on: May 16, 2013 00:36 IST

Mumbai Indians comfortably beat Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League match on Wednesday to finish undefeated at home.

It was their eighth straight win at the Wankhede stadium.

- Scorecard

Rajasthan won the toss and invited Mumbai to bat, the home team put up 166 for eight in the stipulated 20 overs. They then restricted the visitors to 152 for seven to win by 14 runs.

The new-look Mumbai opening pair of Aditya Tare and Glenn Maxwell put on 25 runs, out of which 23 (off 17 balls) were scored by the Australian batsman, with the help of three sixes.

Maxwell, who smacked compatriot James Faulkner for his first six over long-on and Ankit Chavan for two more in three balls, was however beaten squarely by Shane Waston, who trapped him leg before with his second delivery.

Tare top-scored with 59

Last updated on: May 16, 2013 00:36 IST

Aditya Tare hit an attacking half-century.

Tare, who replaced the injured Sachin Tendulkar, paid back for the faith showed in him by the team management, with a 37-ball-59 that was studded with eight boundaries and a six.

Tare, who hit Watson for a six over long-on, was dropped on 24 by rival captain Rahul Dravid at mid-wicket off Stuart Binny. He utilized his escape to put on a half-century stand worth 76 in 51 balls with Karthik, who made a run-a-ball 21.

The wicketkeeper-batsman completed his half century off only 30 balls after hitting Faulkner for successive fours in the lanky left-armer's second spell and the first 10 overs yielded 81 runs.

Watson was Rajasthan's best bowler

Last updated on: May 16, 2013 00:36 IST

Rohit Sharma, Mumbai's captain, failed with the bat.

He scored only 14 before skying a Faulkner delivery straight to Watson.

Watson, meanwhile, was the best bowler for Rajasthan with figures of two for 30.

Cooper accounted for Tare

Last updated on: May 16, 2013 00:36 IST

Kevon Cooper celebrates the wicket of Kieron Pollard

The Rajasthan bowlers put up an impressive performance, especially in the death overs as Mumbai managed only 34 runs in the final five overs.

Kevon Cooper (1-27) and 42-year-old leggie Praveen Tambe (1-38) also did well in patches.

Cooper dismissed Tare, Mumbai's top-scorer, for his only wicket.

Faulkner picked two wickets

Last updated on: May 16, 2013 00:36 IST

James Faulkner is congratulated by team mates after getting the wicket of Mitchell Johnson

James Faulkner also impressed with the ball for Rajasthan.

The Australian, who has a five-wicket haul in this edition, picked two wickets on the day.

He first had Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma (14) caught by Watson before having compatriot Mitchell Johnson (2) caught by Brad Hodge.

Dravid was given out early

Last updated on: May 16, 2013 00:36 IST

Chasing a formidable total, Rajasthan needed their openers to give them a good start.

But it was not to be.

Mitchell Johnson struck with the fifth ball of the innings, having Rahul Dravid (4) caught behind.

The Rajasthan captain was infuruated with the decision.

And the television replays made it clear that he had not nicked the ball.

Faulkner's promotion didn't exactly help

Last updated on: May 16, 2013 00:36 IST

Having lost an early wicket, the visitors sent James Faulkner up the order, at No.3, in a bid to get some quick runs.

The Australian started well, with a couple of boundaries, but didn't last long.

Dhawal Kulkarni had him caught by Glenn Maxwell in what was the former's second over, the fourth of the innings.

Faulkner made 12.

Watson's dismissal proved to be the last straw

Last updated on: May 16, 2013 00:36 IST

Pollard celebrates after catching Watson

All of Rajasthan's hopes rested on Shane Watson.

The al-lrounder regaled the crowd with a couple of huge sixes. But he didn't last long.

Pragyan Ojha had him caught by Kieron Pollard, the latter giving him an animated send off.

Watson made 19, his wicket leaving the visitors tottering at 58 for five in the 10th over.

Though the lower order, led by Stuart Binny, made a valiant effort there was no come back for Rajasthan.