IPL 7 T20 MI vs RR: Agony for Rajasthan as Anderson fires Mumbai into Playoffs

Mumbai Indians qualified for the playoffs after a stunning batting performance meant they defeated Rajasthan Royals through better run rate in Mumbai.

After Corey Anderson (95 not out, 44b) and Ambati Rayudu (30, 10b) had taken Mumbai within reach after they needed to chase the target in 14.3 overs to qualify, Rajasthan had felt they had pulled it off getting Rayudu run out leaving Aditya Tare to score a must boundary in the next ball.

He got a low full toss on his leg which he clearly dispatched to a big six as Mumbai qualified scoring 195 for five in 14.4 overs.

Earlier, Sanju Samson and Karun Nair struck half centuries to ensure Rajasthan Royals posted a fine 189 for four in 20 overs.

After Rajasthan lost Shane Watson cheaply, Samson and Karun Nair were in blistering form as they shared a century partnership. Samson scored a 47-ball 74 while Nair smashed 50 from 27 balls to put Rajasthan in brilliant position.

James Faulkner (23) and Brad Hodge (29 not out) provided some late fireworks as Rajasthan had a superb total.

MUMBAI INDIANS INNINGS

That's a stunning end to a match which was full of confusion. They needed a boundary off the last ball and Tare hammers a huge six to ensure Mumbai got to the next stage. MI 195-5 in 14.4 overs.

Rayudu was run out and Mumbai need a boundary off this delivery to qualify. MI 189-5 in 14.3 overs.

Ambati Rayudu run out 30 (10b 5x4 1x6)

So it's only the first three balls that's important for Mumbai and they need to get nine runs off it. MI 181-4 in 14 overs.

It's going down the wire as Mumbai need 20 from nine balls to qualify for the playoffs. Anderson is in pristine touch while Rayudu is also equally good. MI 170-4 in 13 overs.

Another fantastic over for Mumbai as Rayudu blasts three boundaries followed by Anderson's boundary as 18 runs comes off Watson's over. MI 157-4 in 12 overs.

It looks like Mumbai is suddenly fighting into contention as Anderson is ripping apart every bowler. He is on 70 from just 31 balls with six sixes and five boundaries. Mumbai need 51 from 21 balls. MI 139-3 in 11 overs.

Anderson gets to his half century. Another good over for Mumbai as 16 runs is scored from Kulkarni's over. MI 120-4 in 10 overs.

Sharma also succumbs going for the big shots. Mumbai is unable to close the gap. MI 108-4 in 9.2 overs.

Rohit Sharma c Nair b Kulkarni 16 (11b 1x4 1x6)

15 runs comes off Cooper's over. MI need 86 from 33 balls to qualify.

Mumbai need a imposing 101 off 39 balls. MI 89-3 in 8 overs.

It's becoming a tough one for Mumbai with only four runs coming off Cooper's over. MI 75-3 in 7 overs.

Mumbai to qualify need to score 119 runs from 51 balls.MI 71-3 in 6 overs.

Mumbai in a state of bother as Pollard who banged a six in his previous ball is gone after he is completely deceived by a Cooper slower one to offer a simple catch to Hodge at square leg. MI 61-3 in 5 overs.

Kieron Pollard c Hodge b Cooper 7 (3b 0x4 1x6)

Big wicket for Rajasthan as Hussey is bowled by Cooper. It's getting difficult for Mumbai. MI 53-2 in 4.2 overs.

Michael Hussey b Cooper 22 (11b 1x4 2x6)

Hussey and Anderson keep Mumbai's chase on track with some fiery shots. Two sixes off Kulkarni's bowling. MI 53-1 in 4 overs.

A rocking over for Mumbai as Anderson welcomes Watson with a boundary and a six. Hussey adds to the score hitting a boundary. MI 34-1 in 3 overs.

The pressure of chasing in an important match takes its toll as Mumbai lose their first wicket. Simmons mistimes his shot to offer a simple catch to Faulkner at mid on. MI 19-1 in 1.5 overs.

Lendl Simmons c Faulkner b Kulkarni 12 (8b 3x4 0x6)

A brilliant start for Mumbai as Simmons fires three boundaries. MI 12-0 in 1 over.

Lendl Simmons and Mickael Hussey to open for Mumbai as James Faulkner prepares to bowl. Mumbai need to achieve this target in just 87 balls if they have to qualify.

RAJASTHAN ROYALS INNINGS

A big relief for Mumbai as Faulkner departs in the penultimate ball. RR 185-4 in 19.5 overs.

James Faulkner c Anderson b Pollard 23 (12b 0x4 3x6)

Another six from Faulkner as he reaches 23. With the final over to go Rajasthan will look to close in to at least 190. RR 173-3 in 19 overs.

A superb over for Rajasthan as Faulkner slams Harbhajan to two sixes while Hodge hits a boundary. RR 161-3 in 18 overs.

Rajasthan are 143 for 3 in 17 overs.

That's another quick one to go for Rajasthan as a well settled batsman Sanju Samson departs. RR 136-3 in 15.3 overs.

Sanju Samson c Harbhajan Singh b Gopal 74 (47b 7x4 3x6)

A superb knock comes to an end as Nair departs scoring an exact 50. He has done his job to put Rajasthan in the driver's seat. RR 134-2 in 15 overs.

Karun Nair c Simmons b Bumrah 50 (27b 7x4 2x6)

There is no stopping these two youngsters as their partnership has already reached 87 from only 51 balls. Nair gets to his half century from just 26 balls including seven boundaries and two sixes. RR 121-1 in 14 overs.

Nair in tremendous form as he blasts Ojha for a six and two boundaries to race to 45 form just 24 balls. He's got six boundaries and two sixes so far. RR 106-1 in 13 overs.

Both Nair and Samson going great guns as their partnership reaches 56 from 6.3 overs. RR 90-1 in 12 overs.

A superb over for Rajasthan as Nair tears apart Gopal smashing a six and three boundaries. 19 runs come off the over. RR 78-1 in 11 overs.

Shreyas Gopal made a fine beginning to his bowling before Samson fired a superb six through a sweep. RR 53-1 in 9 overs.

Another impressive over from Harbhajan as he has conceded only 10 runs from his two overs. RR 43-1 in 8 overs.

Rajasthan not in the best of the situation. But with Samson still going strong and Karun Nair joining him they can expect more from the youngsters. RR 38-1 in 7 overs.

Mumbai earns their first wicket as Watson is gone with Pollard taking a fine catch in the deep off Harbhajan's bowling. He celebrates as if he's playing a guitar. RR 34-1 in 5.3 overs.

Shane Watson c Pollard b Harbhajan Singh 8 (18b 1x4 0x6)

Samson is in good form to get a well-timed six. RR 30-0 in 5 overs.

Four boundaries already for Samson as he reaches 17 from 11 balls. Watson on two from 13 balls. RR 20-0 in 4 overs.

Back to back boundaries from Samson eased things a bit for Rajasthan. The bowlers were doing a wonderful job. RR 15-0 in 3 overs.

A superb over from Bumrah as he gets a maiden in his first over. Watson does not take any chance to see off the six balls. RR 5-0 in 2 overs.

Samson opens campaign with a boundary. RR 5-0 in 1 over.

Sanju Samson and Shane Watson open for Rajasthan Royals as Corey Anderson prepares to bowl for Mumbai.

Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma has won the toss and elected to field first. He believes the wicket would not change much and chasing would be a good option.

Shane Watson also says he would have chose to field first.

Playing XI:

MI: Lendl Simmons, Michael Hussey, Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard, Ambati Rayudu, Corey Anderson, Aditya Tare†, Harbhajan Singh, Shreyas Gopal, Praghyan Ojha, Jasprit Bumrah.

RR: Ajinkya Rahane, Karun Nair, Shane Watson, Sanju Samson, Brad Hodge, Abhishek Nayar, James Faulkner, Kevon Cooper, Ankit Sharma, Praveen Tambe, Dhawal Kulkarni   

Defending champions Mumbai Indians still have a chance to make it to the playoffs making their last league game against Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai a virtual knock-out game.

For Rajasthan it's simple with already 14 points in their kitty. They just need to win the match and sail into the playoffs.

For Mumbai, who are on 12 points, apart from winning the game will have to also ensure the do it by a convincing margin.

With back to back victories against Punjab and Delhi Daredevils, the should be looking confident.

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