Mumbai thrash Rajasthan in inconsequential tie

Tuesday, 22 May 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

JAIPUR: Whew! It’s finally over. The league phase of IPL-V was put to rest after the 72nd fixture, played between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals with the former handing the latter a right old walloping at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium here.

The ten-wicket win was brought about by Dwayne Smith (87 n.o.) and Sachin Tendulkar (58 n.o.), who helped themselves to a glut of runs and gunned down the target with two overs to spare. Their 163-run partnership is the highest opening stand in the history of the IPL, breaking the previous record of 159 between M. Vijay and Michael Hussey.

This was the ideal morale boost for Mumbai before they run into Chennai Super Kings in the eliminator. But other than that, the match was of no consequence whatsoever so far as the play-offs were concerned. Royal Challengers Bangalore’s capitulation to Deccan Chargers in the afternoon fixture had helped unearth the identity of teams three and four – Mumbai and Chennai - the top two spots having long been accounted for by Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders.

Mumbai could have treated this game as a practice event before taking on the downright lucky Chennai. And the carefree approach that marked the chase was apparent in the margin of victory. Not once did the result appear in doubt, although Sachin and Smith were dropped once each. This was the first time that Rajasthan Royals had posted a total in excess of 160 at home and failed to defend it.

Earlier, Rajasthan helped themselves to 162 despite having lost their prolific openers – skipper Rahul Dravid and Ajinkya Rahane – cheaply within the Powerplay. Both were out to Dhaval Kulkarni, who was playing his first game of the season.

Shane Watson came to the Royals’ rescue and was ably supported by Stuart Binny, whose acceleration matched and even exceeded that of the Aussie.

Owais Shah and Ashok Menaria too struck useful cameos as Royals posted what Dravid – possibly playing in his last competitive match – considered a par total for the wicket. But Mumbai Indians, playing sans pressure, raced to victory without any trouble at all in this most – even by IPL standards – inconsequential of matches.