The Mumbai Indians march to comfortable win over the Rajasthan Royals

Ashish Nehra steered the Indians to a good start

The Rajasthan Royals' five-game winning streak has come to a crashing halt with Shane Warne's IPL side belted by seven wickets by the Mumbai Indians. The Indians had few difficulties in chasing down the Royals' meagre target of 104, claiming victory with a massive 29 balls to spare as captain-coach Warne tasted defeat for just the second time in seven IPL games.

Robin Uthappa (34 not out) guided the home side to victory with Watson rounding off a strong game by taking 2-26 with the ball. Warne took the other wicket while going from 19 off his two overs in Mumbai.

Earlier, Pollock stunned Smith with a slower ball. The Rajasthan opener was deceived on the front foot and gave wicketkeeper Takawale ample time to complete the stumping on the second attempt.

Nehra, named The Man Of The Match swung one past Yusuf Pathan’s flashing blade as Mumbai wrested early momentum. Asnodkar made batting look easy at the other end, picking the line early against both the new ball bowlers and forced shots through the off side.

Shane Watson scored 32 off 20 balls, but despite his 53-run partnership with opener Swapnil Asnodkar (39), the Royals failed to bat out their 20 overs, dismissed for 103 in 16.2 overs.

The scores:

Rajasthan Royals: G. Smith st. Takawale b Pollock 5, S. Asnodkar c Uthappa b Raje 39, Y. Pathan b Nehra 1, S. Watson b Bravo 32, Mohd. Kaif c Nehra b Raje 4, R. Jadeja c Takawale b Kulkarni 0, S. Warne c Takawale b Kulkarni 7, S. Tanvir b Nehra 6, M. Rawat c Takawale b Nehra 1, S. Trivedi b Bravo 1, Munaf (not out) 0, Extras (lb-2, w-5): 7; Total (in 16.2 overs) 103.
Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-21, 3-74 , 4-82, 5-82, 6-94, 7-95, 8-102, 9-103.

Mumbai Indians bowling: Pollock 3-0-19-1, Nehra 3-0-13-3, Kulkarni 3-0-21-2, Bravo 2.2-0-12-2, Jayasuriya 2-0-17-0, Raje 3-0-19-2.

Mumbai Indians: Y. Takawale b Warne 27, S. Jayasuriya c Y. Pathan b Watson 18, R. Uthappa (not out) 34, D. Bravo c Asnodkar b Watson 1, A. Nayar (not out) 12, Extras (lb-2, w-10): 12; Total (for three wkts. in 15.1 overs) 104.

Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-64, 3-72.

Rajasthan Royals bowling: Tanvir 3.1-0-13-0, Munaf 3-0-21-0, Trivedi 3-0-23-0, Watson 4-0-26-2, Warne 2-0-19-1.