Johan Botha

Rajasthan Royals final hampered the Mumbai Indians juggernaut in the IPL by thrashing them and cruising to a seven wicket win. Johan Botha who has been the handiest player for the Rajasthan Royals came to the party yet again with an all-round show to inflict a seven wicket defeat over the table toppers.

After winning the toss, Rajasthan opted to chase down the target set by Mumbai. The start wasn’t as great as it lost both the openers inside the powerplay overs. Jacobs played an uncharacteristic run a ball 15 before his defense was breached by Singh. Tendulkar was stumped while he failed to pick the Menaria flight and thereby cremating the prospects of a Warne-Tendulkar duel. An alert Yagnik made no mistake.

The batsman who followed them hardly affected Rajasthan’s march towards victory. None of the Mumbai batsmen crossed the 20 run mark. Symonds was the top-scorer of the innings with 17 followed by Jacob’s 15. Pollard (4 from 15 balls) struggled before being caught in front of Botha.

Mumbai were restricted to a score of 94 for 8. Botha was the pick of Rajasthan bowlers with the figures of 3/6 from his two overs, while the duo of Maneria and Amit Singh scalped two wickets each.

Chasing a paltry score, Rajasthan had little menace in doing their job. Rajasthan started of cautiously with Rahul Dravid and Shane Watson adding 17 runs for the first wicket in 4.3 overs before the latter scooped a Patel slower delivery straight to Tendulkar at midwicket. Watson and Botha then took Rajasthan past the 50-run mark, adding 39 off 43 balls for the second wicket.

Botha who shined with the ball earlier came to party with the bat as well. He smashed a 39 ball 44 which was instrumental in setting up a seven wicket win with eleven balls to spare. Shane Watson was the next leading contributor with a 32 ball 26. Munaf Patel’s 2/16 hardly had a say in the proceedings.

Tags: Cricket, Indian Premier League, IPL, IPL 2011, IPL 4, Johan Botha, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals