IPL 6: MI off to a flyer in chase of 166

NEW DELHI: Late flourish by Dishant Yagnik (31 off 17) and decent contributions from Rahul Dravid and Stuart Binny guided Rajasthan Royals to a challenging 165/6 against Mumbai Indians in the second IPL qualifier at Eden Gardens on Friday.

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Despite a decent start, flurry of wickets in mid overs had put Rajasthan on back foot. However, 57-run partnership between Yagnik and Brad Hodge (19*) helped Rajasthan set a competitive target.

Electing to bat, Rajasthan Royals got off to a cautious start. However, Harbhajan Singh spoiled Rajasthan's start with his double-strike.

The spinner first bowled out Ajinkya Rahane and then dismissed Shane Watson.

Rahane made 21 off 18 balls and shared 44-run opening stand with Rahul Dravid before getting out in the seventh over.

Watson couldn't stay for long and was caught by Rohit Sharma after making just 6 at the score of 60.

Lasith Malinga gave Rajasthan third blow at the score of 64 in the 10th over by getting Sanju Samson (0) caught by Harbhajan Singh at mid-wicket.

In the 13th over, Harbhajan struck again to get rid of Rajasthan skipper Rahul Dravid (43), reducing them to 87/4.

Binny (27 off 17) who was looking comfortable fell just after the score crossed 100. He became the first victim of Kieron Pollard who later also dismissed Kevon Cooper (4).

Rajasthan made no change while Mumbai Indians brought in Rishi Dhawan for Munaf Patel. Sachin Tendulkar missed the second qualifier due to injury.

Though the start of the play-off game was delayed by an hour due to rain, the number of overs has not been reduced.

The city, which has been experiencing inclement weather over the past few days, was lashed by showers in the evening, prompting the organisers to put on the covers on the Eden Gardens turf.

Though the rain stopped after some time, the soggy outfield prompted the umpires to decide on a 9 p.m. start instead of the originally scheduled 8 p.m.

Mumbai Indians: Aditya Tare, Dwayne Smith, Dinesh Karthik, Rohit Sharma*, Kieron Pollard, Ambati Rayudu, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell Johnson, Lasith Malinga, Pragyan Ojha, Rishi Dhawan

Rajasthan Royals: Rahul Dravid*, Ajinkya Rahane, Shane Watson, Sanju Samson, Stuart Binny, Brad Hodge, Dishant Yagnik, Kevon Cooper, James Faulkner, VS Malik, Siddharth Trivedi

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Shweta Pandey

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