IPL 2019 highlights: Captain Smith steers RR to 5 wickets win over MI
Smith, who replaced Ajinkya Rahane after the India vice-captain's disastrous run, hit five boundaries and a six while Assam lad Riyan also had identical number of hits to the fence
 "IPL 2019, Rajasthan Royals, Steve Smith")
Steve Smith. Photo: PTI
In Match 36 of VIVO Indian Premier League (IPL 2019), Steve Smith celebrated his return at the helm with a captain's innings that powered Rajasthan Royals to a five-wicket victory over a formidable Mumbai Indians at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday. Chasing a target of 162, Royals won the game with five balls to spare as the former Australia captain anchored the innings with an unbeaten 59 off 48 balls. India U-19 World Cupper Riyan Parag (43 off 29 balls) also showed good temperament as he matched his skipper stroke for stroke during their 70 runs stand in 9.4 overs that paved the way for a comfortable victory.
Smith, who replaced Ajinkya Rahane after the India vice-captain's disastrous run, hit five boundaries and a six while Assam lad Riyan also had identical number of hits to the fence. This is Rajasthan's third win in nine games as they are now placed seventh in the league table above wooden spooners Royal Challengers Bangalore even though a play-off qualification looks a long shot as of now.
Check 2019 IPL Points table here
IPL 2019, Match 36: RR vs MI LIVE scorecard
Rajasthan Royals, who were in a must-win situation, raced to 39 in 3.3 overs but Rahane (12 off 12 balls) departed as Suryakumar Yadav took a diving catch at covers off leg-spinner Rahul Chahar, who was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 29.
Credit should also be given to Sanju Samson for his whirlwind 35 off 19 balls that set the pace and enabled Smith to anchor the innings in the manner only he can.
Riyan's composure also helped even though Chahar and the seasoned Jasprit Bumrah (1/21 in 4 overs) bowled well at the back end but the home team showed enough firepower.
Earlier, Quinton de Kock continued his impressive run with another solid half-century as Mumbai Indians put up a decent 161 for 5 batting first.
De Kock smashed 65 off 47 balls with six fours and two sixes, adding 97 runs off 68 balls for the second wicket with Suryakumar Yadav (34 off 33 balls) that helped MI total gain a semblance of respectability.
Reinstated as skipper in place of Rahane, Smith introduced leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal (2/21 in 4 overs) in the third over.
He deceived rival skipper Rohit Sharma (5), who stepped out only to offer a return catch after failing to read a googly.
Gopal could have got rid of De Kock off the last ball of the over but Jofra Archer dropped a difficult chance at long on.
Making most out of this reprieve De Kock helped his team reach 50-run mark in 6.5 overs.
He reached his own half-century in 34 balls and his partnership with Suryakumar was broken when latter was caught in deep off Stuart Binny in the 14th over.
A few balls later De Kock too was holed out in long-on as Hardik Pandya and Pollard joined forces with scoreboard reading 112 for 3 in 15 overs.
Pollard (10 runs 7 balls) was dropped by Archer once again. Hardik played another of his cameos scoring 23 off 15 balls.
Rajasthan Royals win by 5 wickets
Over 19.1; Rajasthan Royals win
Over 19
Bumrah continues and traps Turner in front of wicket. Turner goes for a GOLDEN DUCK. Stuart Binny, right handed bat, comes to the crease and clips the first ball towards square leg for a single. Smith takes a single off the 3rd ball towards point. Binny collects a single towards cover region. Smith collects a single off the 5th ball and so does Binny off the last ball.
Over 18
Hardik Pandya [3.0-0-23-0] is back into the attack and Parag works the first ball to deep mid-wicket for a single. A big swing and miss from Smith. DOT... Smith and Parag goes for a double but Parag falls short by a mile, GONE. Riyan Parag run out (Cutting/Hardik Pandya) 43(29) [4s-5 6s-1]. Ashton Turner, right handed bat, comes to the crease. Smith cuts the 5th ball towards backward point for FOUR. Smith drives the last ball to deep extra cover for a couple of runs.
Over 17; CRR: 8.53 REQ: 5.67
Jasprit Bumrah [2.0-0-8-0] is back into the attack and Smith cuts the 1st ball square third-man for FOUR follows by a single. Parag tucks the 3rd ball to fine leg for a single. DOT.... A couple of runs for Smith and he completes his fifty. DOT to end the over.
Time-out
Over 16
Lasith Malinga [2.0-0-14-0] is back into the attack and concedes only 3 runs off the 4 ball before Parag hits the 5th ball over extra cover for FOUR. A couple of runs for Parag off the last ball towards cow corner.
Over 15
Rahul Chahar [3.0-0-19-3] is back into the attack and Parag blocks the first while smashes the 2nd ball for SIX towards cow corner follows by a single. A single for Smith towards mid-on. parag hits the 5th ball to sweeper cover for a single. Smith punches the last ball to long-on for a single.
Over 14
Hardik Pandya continues and Smith fails to score off the first ball. Smith dabs the 2nd ball towards backward point for a single. DOT... Parag scoops the 4th ball over keeper for FOUR. Parag edges the 5th ball through short third-man for FOUR. A single for Parag off the last delivery
Rajasthan Royals need 54 runs in 42 balls
Over 13; CRR: 8.31 REQ: 7.71
Jasprit Bumrah [1.0-0-4-0] is back into the attack and Smith tucks the first ball to backward square leg for a single. An inside edge onto the pads, no run. Parag collects a leg byes. Smith pushes the 4th ball to long-on for a single. Parag takes a single off the 5th ball. Smith collects a single towards mid-off for a single.
Over 12
Hardik Pandya [1.0-0-9-0] is back into the attack and Parag collects a two runs thanks to a over throw. DOT... Parag hits the 3rd ball to long-on for a single. DOT... DOT... A single for Smith to end the over.
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First Published: Apr 20 2019 | 1:48 PM IST
