The Mumbai Indians became the second team after Chennai Super Kings to reach the play-off in IPL 6. With a 14-run victory over the Rajasthan Royals, they now lead the points table. Both Mumbai and Chennai have 22 points each from 15 matches.
Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to field first. With some superb bowling and fielding in the death overs, they restricted Mumbai to 166/8 in 20 overs. Aditya Tare, who got a chance to play in place of injured Sachin Tendulkar, scored 59. Maxwell (23) and Dinesh Karthik (21) were the other contributors. Faulkner and Shane Watson took two wickets each.
Chasing a victory target of 167, Rajasthan Royals failed before the pace of Dhawal Kulkarni, Mitchell Johnson and Lasith Malinga and finished at 152/7 in 20 overs. Stuart Binny remained unbeaten on 37, while Brad Hodge scored 39. Johnson and Kulkarni took two wickets each. Aditya Tare was declared ‘Man of the Match’.
