Mumbai Indians’ hopes of reaching the IPL 2024 playoffs suffered a blow as they lost to Rajasthan Royals by nine wickets on Monday. MI are currently placed seventh with 6 points from 8 matches with a net run rate (NRR) of -0.227. This means that if MI loses any more matches in the competition they will have to win all their remaining six games or depend on other results. RR, on the other hand, continued their dominance at the top of the table with 14 points and another win will be enough to book their place in the playoffs.

After Sandeep Sharma’s first five-wicket haul, Yashasvi Jaiswal returned to form with a brilliant century as Rajasthan Royals defeated Mumbai Indians by nine wickets.

After Sandeep returned 4-0-18-5 to register the best bowling figures in this IPL, Jaiswal finally found form in Rajasthan’s final home game at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, scoring an unbeaten 104 off 60 balls. The Mumbai Indians attack was destroyed during the innings.

Despite rain delaying proceedings, Rajasthan did not face much challenge in achieving the 180-run target set by Mumbai Indians, reaching 183/1 in 18.4 overs.

India and RR spinner Yuzvendra Chahal registered their names in the history books with 200 dismissals in the competition.

Jaiswal, after adding 79 runs for the first wicket with Jos Buttler (35, 25 balls, 6×4), added 109 unbeaten runs for the second wicket with Sanju Samson (38 not out).

Jaiswal, who came into this IPL after a very successful five-Test series against England, had a very lukewarm performance. Although he got quick starts time and again, Jaiswal was not able to convert them into anything solid until this contest.

The 22-year-old eventually overcame the hurdle, using powerful pulls and delightful drives in his innings, which included nine fours and seven sixes.

With this innings, Jaiswal joined Buttler in scoring centuries for RR this season. There have already been three centuries between the two in this IPL.

On a soft surface and against an unbalanced bowling attack, Jaiswal flourished right from the start and recorded innings of the highest quality – which will put him back in the running for a place in India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. ,

Meanwhile, Royals’ win by a huge margin consolidated their position at the top of the points table.

The Sanju Samson-led team now has 14 points with a net run rate of 0.698 and this win strengthens their claim to make the playoffs.

(With PTI inputs)