IPL 2021: MI vs RR Review – De Kock returns to form as Mumbai cruise to victory

Mumbai Indians finally got back to winning ways on Thursday with a convincing 7-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in Delhi, thanks to a return to form by opener Quinton de Kock. This was Mumbai’s only third win in six matches this season and their first at their second venue from the caravan system.

Brisk start for RR openers

Earlier in the afternoon, Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bowl first. The Royals got a good start from their openers for the first time in this season, as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler put on 66 runs for the first wicket. Buttler made 41 off 32 balls while Jaiswal scored a 20-ball 32.

Sanju Samson, who batted at no.3, got his second 40+ score in successive matches. He eventually got out on 42, while Shivam Dube notched up 35 in 31 balls. Rajasthan eventually ended with a score of 171/4, probably 15-20 shorter considering the way they started. For Mumbai, it was Rahul Chahar who got two wickets while Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult chipped in with a wicket each.

QDK back in form

Chasing a total that seemed below par on this wicket, Mumbai got off to a good start with Quinton de Kock finding his form back. Rohit fell cheaply but de Kock marched along for his first fifty of the season. Mumbai’s batting mainstay, Suryakumar Yadav departed early before Krunal Pandya executed a crucial hand of a 26-ball 39.

FIFTY@QuinnyDeKock69 brings up his 15th #VIVOIPL 5️⃣0️⃣ in 35 balls with 5×4, 2×6. This is his first in #IPL2021 https://t.co/jRroRGewsU #MIvRR pic.twitter.com/89TnaTNWIj

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 29, 2021

De Kock finished the innings guiding Mumbai’s run-chase home. He stayed unbeaten on 70 off 50 balls alongside Kieron Pollard. Chris Morris picked up two more wickets, taking his season tally to 11 while Mustafizur Rahman picked up one scalp.

Top performers

Quinton de Kock: Before this match, de Kock had scored a run-a-ball 40 and three single digit scores in this tournament so far. However, Mumbai Indians stuck with him giving him another opportunity in their first outing at a new venue. He played a brilliant hand and ensured that Mumbai were always in control of the chase.

Jasprit Bumrah: The Indian pacer bowled a superb spell. He didn’t take a lot of wickets, which was difficult on this surface. But he bowled tight lines and gave only 15 runs in his four overs. In the 17th and 19th overs, he conceded eight runs and also picked up a wicket, which didn’t allow the Royals to accelerate and ultimately restricted them to a sub-par total.

Personal records/Achievements

Kieron Pollard hit his 200th four in the IPL for MI, becoming the first overseas player to do so for Mumbai.

Way ahead

Mumbai will now face Chennai on May 1 while Rajasthan will play Hyderabad on May 2.