RR vs MI, 44th Match at Navi Mumbai, IPL, Apr 30 2022 - Match Result

11.38 pm Mumbai players and fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Sams grins and smiles broadly with David at the non-striker's end, who lets out a big roar and they punch gloves. Rohit punches the air in the Mumbai dugout.

Rajasthan captain Sanju Samson: "I think we could have scored a few more runs. The dew came in and it was hard to bowl. It was getting wet. The ball was getting wet so that's why they changed the ball. Different venues are playing in different ways. Here, batting first was a bit tougher, the ball was a bit two-paced. I think batting second was much better. It depends on the wicket you are playing on."

Mumbai opener Ishan Kishan: "Not an easy time for us but this is the time when we need to stick together, focus on what we have done, how we have prepared. We did not win matches earlier, but today I love the effort put up by the team. [Final 5 overs in the dugout] In cricket, these things happen. You will lose wickets and you will score runs. But the intent from every batsman who was in there was pretty clear, just to finish the game. If the ball was there to hit, just hit it. Hopefully we will win more matches in the coming games. I was keeping wicket and the wicket was not easy once the ball gets old, not easy to hit sixes. So my intent was to give a good start in the first six overs so that we can use the Powerplay well and it's easier for the batsmen who are coming in to settle down. They can take a few balls so the plans were very clear for those of us batting up the order. Obviously we want to win all the games here. Let's see what happens. We need to forget this match now and focus on the next game."

Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma: "[When asked if this was a good birthday gift] I would definitely take it. That's how we play. The real potential came out today, with the ball especially. We knew it was gonna be tough to restrict them to that total, but I thought they kept applying the pressure. With that batting lineup, we knew if we keep taking wickets, it's going to be difficult for them. So that's what we wanted to try and we did that perfectly today. [On what went right today] This is the team we played in the first couple of games except for a few bowling changes. When you have a season like that, you're not sure of your combination. You want to try out so many things, and that's obvious because you're trying to get the right combination. The conditions are different. When you play at DY, the ball tends to grip a little bit. But when you play at CCI, Wankhede, Pune, the pitches seem to be absolutely flat there. With that in mind, we try to field the best combination. Yes, it hasn't worked for the eight games we played, but we were not blown away by the opposition. We came really close and we lost crucial games. Had we won those, things would be different for us. [On the spinners Shokeen and Kartikeya] Both of these guys are quite courageous. When you speak to them, you know that they want to do something special and they don't want to go into hiding. It gives me that confidence to bowl them at any given stage. It was a brave call when I got Shokeen to bowl to Buttler when he was absolutely set. Yes he got a few sixes, but eventually he got him out and that helped us to restrict them to another 10 or 15 runs. If you look at the overall picture, we played very well. Bowlers came together and the batters did the job for us as well."

Player of the Match goes to Suryakumar Yadav: "I think it was really important in that situation to play until the end. My job at No. 3 was to take the game ahead from where Rohit left and very happy with the way things ended. It was a good one from the team's point of view. Losing so many games, that was an important win to have a good atmosphere amongst the team. [Asked where he feels is his best position to bat] I have enjoyed batting at all the positions, but I love batting at No. 3 because the situation I go in, I can pace my innings accordingly looking at the situation. I love batting at No. 3, but at the same time I am really flexible. [What does the win do for team morale] It spreads loads and loads and loads of positivity. At practice sessions, we are enjoying each other's company and not thinking about what's coming ahead, just living in the moment and enjoying it."

That does it for our live commentary coverage tonight. On behalf of my tag team partner Sidharth Monga, I'm Peter Della Penna. come back tomorrow for another IPL doubleheader. Until then, take care!

Zain: "I mentioned it when he came out but Pollard played another useless innings… no intent.. he needs a break or something… what a terrible season".

Sams arrives.

Lobzang: "I think Sanju Samson will get banned next match for over rate offence. " This innings is stretching past two hours now thanks to that third umpire review on the catch.

Final over. Four to win. Long delay here as David and Pollard have a towel and drinks run out to clean them off. Sen has the ball in hand.

Rohit: "That one over of Mitchell. Can't understand Sanju's captaincy some time."

Ajinkya: "@Peter, are you based out of the UK or US? Nandos and FiveGuys... :-)" I could be in Dubai for all you know. They are global chains!

Arun Prakash: "MI should rest Pollard and play both Brewis and David. They both looks in great touch and they just need some time to get used to IPL. "

Hari: "Hey @Peter. Heard that Dhoni has taken back the captaincy. Will you be there on the comms tomorrow?" No. Tomorrow is the Lord's day (and also the day my club cricket team plays their matches).

Ritvik: "Where was David hiding all this season?" Somewhere he can gleefully count his millions in peace, whether he plays or not?

Prasad: "Guess Hetmeyer's refused singles in the last over are gonna cost RR the win here. He should have trusted Boult with a handful of runs.RR's coach also had said that 170 would be enough on this pitch. Sign!" They're not gonna lose by singles. Mumbai is coasting here. Rajasthan look 20 or so short.

Sen returns.

Sankalp : "@Peter- What are you having for dinner tonight? (Match is quite over :) )" Well, my wife was going to cook a tasty chicken korma, but my mother-in-law wanted to go see some new Punjabi movie that's out in the cinema now and they've gone to see it together. So I think I'll be ordering delivery from Nando's or Five Guys.