How Did Karn and Boult Lead MI to Their Sixth Consecutive Win?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Karn Sharma and Trent Boult excelled with three wickets each.
- Mumbai Indians scored 217 runs, setting a high target.
- RR was dismissed for just 117 runs.
- This match marked MI's first win in Jaipur since 2012.
- MI's net run rate improved to 1.274.
Jaipur, May 1 (NationPress) Karn Sharma and Trent Boult each took three wickets as Mumbai Indians (MI) secured their sixth straight victory in IPL 2025, moving to the top of the points table after a commanding 100-run win against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Thursday.
MI set a formidable target of 217/2, courtesy of impressive fifties from Ryan Rickleton and Rohit Sharma, along with Suryakumar Yadav and captain Hardik Pandya both scoring 48 not out. In response, MI's bowlers were unyielding, dismissing RR for a mere 117 in just 16.1 overs, marking their first victory in Jaipur since 2012.
This significant win has elevated MI's net run rate to 1.274, the highest in the tournament. Conversely, this defeat has led to RR's elimination from IPL 2025. MI's bowlers were on point right from the start.
Deepak Chahar dismissed young Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who scored a rapid century in the previous match, for a duck. Although Yashasvi Jaiswal hit Boult for two sixes, the pacer responded by bowling him out in the same over.
Nitish Rana fell next, caught at deep square-leg off Boult, while Riyan Parag was dismissed after a struggle against short balls, giving a top edge to mid-wicket off Jasprit Bumrah. The next ball saw Shimron Hetmyer also go out, with a sharp catch at mid-wicket.
After RR finished their power-play at 62/5, Shubham Dubey tried to delay defeat with a quick 15 runs off 9 balls, but succumbed to a catch off Hardik Pandya. Dhruv Jurel attempted a paddle sweep off Karn Sharma but ended up edging it, allowing the leg-spinner to take the catch himself.
Karn, brought in as an impact player, took two wickets in the 12th over, while Boult wrapped up the innings with a catch of Jofra Archer at short fine leg, ending his innings at 30, as MI celebrated a resounding victory.
Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians 217/2 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickleton 61, Rohit Sharma 53; Riyan Parag 1-12, Maheesh Theekshana 1-47) beat Rajasthan Royals 117 in 16.1 overs (Jofra Archer 30, Riyan Parag 16; Karn Sharma 3-23, Trent Boult 3-28) by 100 runs.