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IPL PHOTOS: Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians
Rajasthan Royals thrashed Mumbai Indians by 87 runs, consigning them to their biggest ever defeat, and moved to the top of the points table, on Wednesday.
Spurred by Ajinkya Rahane's unbeaten 54-ball 68 they first posted a formidable 179 for 3, and then dismissed Mumbai for a paltry 92 in 18.2 overs.
It was Rajsthan's fourth victory in five matches, while Mumbai slipped down to fourth.
Earlier, Rajasthan Royals won the toss and opted to bat at the Sawai Mansingh stadium in Jaipur.
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Rahane, Watson give Royals solid start
Ajinkya Rahane and Shane Watson opened the batting for Rajasthan.
The home team managed a whopping 58 runs in the powerplay (six overs) without loss, forcing the first strategic time-out immediately after.
Pollard breaks flourishing opening stand
Kieron Pollard was introduced into the attack in the eighth over, replacing Malinga (2-0-20-0), and he struck with his second delivery, having Watson (31) caught behind.
Watson's 25-ball knock was inclusive of five boundaries and a six. He put on 62 runs for the opening wicket with Rahane.
Yagnik departs after quick 34
Harbhajan Singh struck with his fourth delivery, having Dishant Yagnik (34) caught by Sachin Tendulkar.
Yagnik's 24-ball knock was inclusive of four boundaries and a six. He and Rahane put on 53 runs for the second wicket.
Formidable Rahane
Rahane (68 not out) and Brad Hodge (27 off 15) added an unbroken 53-run stand for the fourth wicket in less than five overs to give Rajasthan the much-needed impetus after slowing down a bit in the third quarter.
They went on to post a formidable 179 for three in their stipulated 20 overs.
Ponting, Tendulkar out early
Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting opened the Mumbai Indians innings, but it was a disastrous start for Mumbai Indians.
Ajit Chandila had the batting maestro with his fourth delivery.
Chandilla struck again. This time he had Ponting with the fifth delivery of his second over, caught and bowled.
Mumbai in trouble
Kieron Pollard did not last long either. He was bowled -- his middle stump uprooted - by Stuart Binny for 1 after facing seven balls.
Karthik out; Mumbai in tatters
Just when it looked as if Dinesh Karthik and Ambati Rayudu would steady the innings, the former fell, caught by Brad Hodge off the bowling of James Faulkner at long-on for 30.
Binny grabs two wickets
In the 14th over Binny bagged two wickets for Rajasthan.
The bowler had Rishi Dhawan (0) caught by James Faulkner at short midwicket, and three balls later was instrumental in Harbhajan Singh (1) being run out.