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Royals clinches a humdinger

G. Viswanath

JAIPUR: Neeraj Patel and Ravindra Jadeja held their nerve to clinch a thrilling five-wicket win for Rajasthan Royals off the last ball against Mumbai Indians in their DLF-IPL match here on Monday.

Needing two runs to win off the last ball after Dilhara Fernando bowled a wide, Patel drove down the ground past a diving Fernando and desperately scrambled for a run. And, Sanath Jayasuriya fumbled the return from mid-on to concede the second run.

The two left-handers came together at 77 for five. Taking their team to a seventh straight victory at their home ground though it seemed beyond their capacity, but the two snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

Daredevils in last four

The Royals’ win has ensured a semifinal entry for Delhi Daredevils, while Mumbai Indians would fail to make it to the knockout stage should Chennai Super Kings beat Deccan Chargers on Tuesday.

The scores: Mumbai Indians: 145 for seven in 20 overs.

Rajasthan Royals: K. Akmal (run out) 18, S. Asnodkar c Takawale b Fernando 17, Y. Pathan c Nehra b Fernando 2, S. Watson c Tendulkar b Raje 18, M. Kaif (run out) 12, R. Jadeja (not out) 23, N. Patel (not out) 40; Extras (b-4, lb-6, nb-1, w-5): 16; Total (for five wkts. in 20 overs): 146.

Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-32, 3-47, 4-77, 5-77.

Mumbai Indians bowling: Pollock 4-0-26-0, Nehra 3-0-18-0, Fernando 4-0-27-2, Smith 2-0-16-0, Nayar 1-0-4-0, Raje 4-0-37-1, Jayasuriya 2-0-8-0.

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