KEY STORY
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Match 45 of the ongoing IPL 2020 edition saw the Steve Smith-led Rajasthan Royals (RR) stun defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in Abu Dhabi.
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In match 45 of the ongoing IPL 2020 edition, RR had a tough task to derail MI’s progress who had won 5 out of their 6 games in Abu Dhabi.
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However, RR rode on a century from Ben Stokes and a crucial fifty from Sanju Samson as Smith and Co. managed to delay a playoff berth for the Kieron Pollard-led MI, who once again missed the services of regular skipper Rohit Sharma due to an injury.
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Opting to bat first, the Pollard-led MI franchise didn’t get off to a bright start. In-form opener Quinton de Kock slammed a six off Jofra Archer before he chopped one onto the stumps in the first over itself.
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Following that, Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan combined to keep the scoreboard ticking with their free-flowing approach.
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Against the run of play, Archer pulled off a one-handed stunner, off Karthik Tyagi, to dismiss Kishan. Surya and Pollard followed suit.
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Nonetheless, a fierce 25-ball 34 from Saurabh Tiwary and Hardik Pandya’s stunning 21-ball 60*, laced with 2 fours and 7 sixes, enabled MI to a daunting 195 for 5.
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Hardik was particularly in a punishable mode against Ankit Rajpoot and Tyagi as he struck at 285.71.
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In reply, RR went about their business in a calm and composed manner despite losing Robin Uthappa and captain Smith early.
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Ben Stokes, who has been doubted by many as an opener, came to his own finally after a series of failures.
Ben Stokes is awarded Man of the Match for his scintillating knock of 107* against #MI.#Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/LoL6FKcJMO
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 25, 2020
Dream11 GameChanger of Match 45 between @rajasthanroyals and @mipaltan is Ben Stokes. @Dream11 #YeApnaGameHai #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/nJa1xEIHqL
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 25, 2020
United diagnosticss
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On the other hand, Samson also joined the party as he kept his cool and didn’t throw his wicket after settling in.
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The duo took on the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, and James Pattinson as they didn’t deter their approach and cleared the ropes while dispatching their poor deliveries.
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On the other hand, they also took on Rahul Chahar and Pollard to keep the runs flowing. The two’s unbeaten 152-run stand took RR to a famous win over MI, who missed a chance to attain 16 points up their sleeves heading into the last week of the league stages.
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Riding on Stokes’ 107* — first 50-plus score in IPL since May 1, 2017 — and Samson’s unbeaten 54*, RR didn’t even need the services of their swashbuckling batsman Jos Buttler. With this win, RR have passed a strong statement as they remain alive in the race for the playoffs and move to the sixth spot. In addition, their win has led to CSK’s early exit from the tournament.
Top effort from @benstokes38 107* and Samson 54* as they steer @rajasthanroyals to an 8-wicket win against #MI.#Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/IuHBbTgEDa
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 25, 2020
Take a look at the Points Table after Match 45 of #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/AkhskmTneU
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 25, 2020
