Mumbai maul Royals to seal top spot with sixth straight win in IPL

Mumbai Indians stamped their authority on IPL 2025 with a commanding 100-run demolition of Rajasthan Royals, surging to the top of the table and ending the Royals’ playoff hopes with surgical precision. It was MI’s sixth consecutive win—and their first in Jaipur since 2012 — underscoring a team firing on all cylinders at the perfect time.

From a record-setting opening stand to relentless bowling, the five-time champions delivered a statement performance.

Opening brilliance sets the tempo

The match’s turning point came early, not with bat or ball, but with a review. Rohit Sharma, trapped in front by Fazalhaq Farooqi in the second over, opted to challenge the umpire’s decision—an almost reluctant call. Replays showed the delivery had narrowly pitched outside leg stump, breathing life into what turned out to be a game-defining innings.

Rohit, rejuvenated and relaxed, made the most of the reprieve. Alongside the quietly consistent Ryan Rickelton, he built a century partnership in just over 10 overs. The duo neutralized the new ball threat, blending finesse and aggression. Rohit brought up a fluent 50 off 31 balls, while Rickelton's wristy strokeplay—highlighted by a standout flicked six—showed how well he’s adapted to Indian surfaces.

Rickelton’s 61 was his third fifty of the campaign and reinforced his growing value as both top-order anchor and wicketkeeper. For MI, everything is suddenly clicking.

Power finish: Surya and Hardik explode

What could have been a middling finish was transformed into a batting clinic by Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, both of whom slammed unbeaten 48s off just 23 balls each. Their brutal assault added 94 runs in the final 46 deliveries, taking MI to an imposing 217/2.

Surya defied field placements and geometry, threading boundaries where none seemed possible. Hardik, all muscle and timing, bludgeoned boundaries with minimal backlift, one scorching drive nearly injuring bowler Maheesh Theekshana.

Rajasthan’s bowlers had no answers. Even their best, Akash Madhwal, was punished for any lapse in line or length.

Royals’ collapse: A tale of missed opportunity

Chasing a mammoth target, the Royals crumbled under pressure. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, their breakout star, lasted just one delivery. Yashasvi Jaiswal flashed early brilliance with back-to-back sixes off Trent Boult but perished playing across the line. With Sanju Samson injured and Shimron Hetmyer out of form, the middle order never recovered.

Stand-in skipper Riyan Parag showed intent but lacked impact, and the Royals folded for a paltry 117 in 16.1 overs.

Boult and Jarn Sharma claimed three wickets apiece, but this was a collective MI effort—disciplined, dangerous, and devastating.

Royals routed, MI march on

The loss ends Rajasthan Royals’ campaign in bitter disappointment — just three wins from 11 games. Their reputation for grooming talent remains intact, but questions linger about their strategic execution and leadership depth.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians have rediscovered their champion DNA. With momentum, depth, and confidence surging, they look every inch the title favorites.

Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indians 217/2 (Rickelton 61, Rohit 53, Suryakumar 48*, Hardik 48*)
beat
Rajasthan Royals 117 all out in 16.1 overs (Jarn Sharma 3/23, Boult 3/28)
by 100 runs