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Stokes, who looted 14 fours and three sixes in his 107 undefeated 60-ball, found a capable ally in Sanju samson (54 not out of 31) as their unbroken 152-run partnership allowed the Royals to do a short job with the 196-run goal. They galloped to victory in 18.2 overs.
Mumbai had put up an impressive 195 for five courtesy of a 21-ball Hardik Pandya 60, who broke seven sixes and two fours. It was the fourth loss for Mumbai, which remains in a comfortable position at the top of the standings.
Best effort from @ benstokes38 107 * and Samson 54 * as they lead @rajasthanroyals to an 8 wicket win against # MI.… Https://t.co/iZ02AUtk12
– IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) 1603647786000
The sweeping victory over the defending champions not only kept the Royals alive in the tournament, but also eliminated the Chennai Super Kings from the competition.
The night belonged to Stokes, who launched the Mumbai attack after RR lost early starter Robin Uthappa (13) and Steve Smith (11). The southpaw returned to his best, having struggled with his timing in previous games.
Samson joined Stokes, who had picked up four limits off Trent Boult in the third over.
ONE CENTURY with a SIX for @ benstokes38. What an entry this was from Stokes. # Dream11IPL https://t.co/JkUmK6M6GA
– IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) 1603647260000
The Englishman then went on the offensive against Krunal Pandya, racking up two fours before a limit and six against Rahul Chahar with the Royals running to 75 for two after eight overs.
Stokes and Samson played shots at will with RR collecting 18 and 19 runs at 13 and 14 on the balls of James Pattinson and Chahar.
Stokes completed his 100 on 59 balls, with six hits on the deep middle ground and finished the game adequately with a limit.
Mumbai previously suffered a mini collapse in the intermissions and, but late hits from Hardik and Saurabh Tiwary (34 of 25) allowed the defending champs to rack up 74 runs in the final four overs.
Tiwary and Hardik shared a 64-run position for the fifth wicket.
The entrances began. Game over. 🦁 # RRvMI | #HallaBol | #RoyalsFamily | # IPL2020 https://t.co/C9ED91kVMD
– Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) 1603649119000
Tiwary was brutal against Archer (2-31) in the 17th over, breaking two fours and a maximum, while Hardik finished off four sixes against Ankit Rajpoot (0-60) in the 18th over, which was 27 runs.
Hardik lunged at Kartik Tyagi (1-45) in the final, hitting him for three sixes and two fours. Your blitzkrieg can make a difference in the game. After Mumbai lost to starter Quinton De Kock (6) early, Ishan Kishan (37 of 36 balls) and Suryakumar Yadav (40 of 26) rallied the innings with their 83-run second field spot.
Kishan and Surya met again at Rajpoot’s pace, breaking a six each as Mumbai raced to 59 for one after six overs.
Surya went on the offensive against Shreyas Gopal, picking up two limits in the ninth over.
Have you seen this feeling? 😍 ft. @ Benstokes38 and @IamSanjuSamson. 😍 # RRvMI | #HallaBol |… https://t.co/d698Zm6MP1
– Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) 1603647824000
But Rajasthan set things back by firing Kishan, Surya and Kieron Pollard (6) in quick succession as Mumbai slipped to 101 for four.
Kishan perished courtesy of a blinding one-handed Archer in the third man, off Tyagi, and then Gopal eliminated Surya and Pollard in the 13th.
While Surya gave Ben Stokes a babysitter, Pollard was undone by a googly, who ripped off his stumps.
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