By IANS,
Mumbai : An inspired performance by the bowlers backed by robust fielding helped Mumbai Indians to their third straight win in the Indian Premier League (IPL), beating leaders Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets here Wednesday night.
After bowling out Rajasthan Royals for a paltry 103 in 16.2 overs, Mumbai Indians surpassed the target for the loss of just three wickets from 15.1 overs.
After openers Yogesh Takawale (27) and Sanath Jayasuriya (18) had given Mumbai Indians a decent start, putting 41 runs for the first wicket, Robin Uthappa, in the company of Takawale and then Abhishek Nayar, steered the home team to a comfortable win.
Earlier, the luck of the toss went the way of the Mumbai Indians and Shaun Pollock had no hesitancy in putting the visitors into bat, the move paying off as they were bowled out for only 103.
Without the services of Sachin Tendulkar for the seventh match running, the home side rode on the superb opening bowling spells from Pollock and Ashish Nehra, complemented by Dhawal Kulkarni, Dwayne Bravo and Rohan Raje, who got two wickets each.
The visitors lost Graeme Smith early to Pollock and big hitter Younis Pathan was castled by Nehra, their innings tottering at 21 for two in the fourth over, a disastrous start they never recovered from.
Opener Swapnil Asnodkar rode his luck and played some brave shots to hit 39 from 36 balls, while all-rounder Shane Watson chipped in with 32, the only bright spots in the innings.
Their third wicket partnership of 53 from 29 balls was peppered with fireworks from Watson, who hit one six and four boundaries.