With a stunning victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 51st match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) kept their aspirations alive.
Last year, Sharjah was a batter’s paradise. The pitch has been hazardous for batting this time, slow and low. RR’s poor luck was that they had to play their must-win game on a surface that had neither pace nor bounce. Worse, they were given the opportunity to bat first.
The same Royal Challengers Bangalore (RR) team that chased down Chennai Super Kings (CSK) 190 in Abu Dhabi with 15 balls to spare two nights ago achieved 90 for nine from their 20 overs on Tuesday. MI’s chase of the V was well-planned, as they won in 50 balls to stay in the competition.
MI’s massive win over RR triggered a slew of statistical milestones, and we’ve compiled a list of five of the most noteworthy.
#1 Left is right for RR
Kuldip Yadav, a left-arm bowler, made his IPL debut for RR on Tuesday. RR made history by becoming the first club in the IPL to field five left-arm pacers in a single season. Pune Warriors India (PWI) played four in 2011, MI in 2014, and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2016.
Left-arm pacers to play for RR in IPL 2021
- Mustafizur Rahman
- Chetan Sakariya
- Jaydev Unadkat
- Akash Singh
- Kuldip Yadav
#2 A first in the IPL
However, A team batted for 20 overs to set a target, only to be chased down within 10 overs for the first time in IPL history. In their 20 overs, RR batted their way to 90 for nine. In 8.2 overs, MI chased down the target.
#3 Rohit Sharma – The first Indian to 400 T20 sixes
In the third over, Rohit Sharma slog-swept leg-spinner, Shreyas Gopal, for a six, becoming the first Indian to reach 400 sixes in T20 cricket.
Most sixes in T20s
- 1042 Chris Gayle
- 758 Kieron Pollard
- 510 Andre Russell
- 485 Brendon McCullum
- 467 Shane Watson
- 434 AB de Villiers
- 400 Rohit Sharma
Most sixes in T20s
- 1042 Chris Gayle
- 758 Kieron Pollard
- 510 Andre Russell
- 485 Brendon McCullum
- 467 Shane Watson
- 434 AB de Villiers
- 400 Rohit Sharma
#4 Mustafizur Rahman goes past Shaun Tait
This isn’t your typical bowling record. Mustafizur Rahman has 50 T20 batting appearances and nine sixes. He batted 32 innings at No. 11 out of those 50, the most by any batter at that position. Shaun Tait has previously batted in that position for 31 innings.
#5 A new MI record for Jasprit Bumrah
In the process, Jasprit Bumrah bowled a spell of 4-0-14-2 with 18 dot balls, the most by any MI player in an IPL edition. Prior to today, MI had only managed 17 dot balls on eight occasions, with Jasprit Bumrah being the most recent entrant, having done it in the 2020 IPL Qualifier 1 against Delhi Capitals (DC).
The brilliant spell of Jasprit Bumrahs was essential in MI’s victory. After 20 overs, RR’s score of 90 for nine is the second-lowest in the IPL for any team. In IPL 2020, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) take the lead with 84 for 8 against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Read more: Abdul Razzaq says “I don’t think India can compete with Pakistan” in T20 World Cup 2021
Visit also: Robin Singh urges MI- “You need a lot of consistency” in the IPL 2021
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