MI vs RR: Perfect birthday gift for Rohit Sharma

The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2022) has not been a great season for the big teams. Mumbai Indians are one of them struggling but have finally managed their inaugural win in their recent encounter against Rajasthan Royals on Saturday.

It’s captain Rohit Sharma’s 35th birthday, and there can be no better gift than the maiden victory out of nine matches rivalled. MI did not have a cool campaign starting the season with back-to-back losses, continuing to a losing streak of eight. However, the hitman and co finally got potent to break that versus the Royals on Sharma’s big day.

Sanju Samson’s men posted a decent target of 159 runs needing from 120 balls. Jos Buttler put a solid start adding 67 runs from 52 deliveries. It was followed by average contributions at the top-order to drag it surpass 150 sparing the four men.

The most successful team of the IPL made sure to put an end to their losing streak. They finished it off in style, with a boundary, 161 coming in 19.2 overs. It was Daniel Sams to hit on a length outside off shuffling across and pulling it harder over square leg for a six. Tim David played a crucial role to keep the game alive adding 20 from 9 balls in the end.

Indians won by five wickets saving four balls. They did not have a sound start since Sharma collapsed on two, whereas, Ishan Kishan could not stay after 26. However, Suryakuma Yadav’s 51 was essential enough to somehow take them close to the mark.

It must be noted all Royal bowlers plucked one wicket each except Daryll Mitchell who delivered a single over at an economy of 20. As far as Sharma’s bowlers are concerned, Hrithik Shokeen and Riley Meredith got two wickets apiece whereas, Kumar Kartikeya and Daniel Sams settled for one for each.

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