MUMBAI: Shane Warne had shown respect for big-hitting batsmen in the Mumbai Indians line-up, stressing about plans for mavericks Sanath Jayasuriya and Robin Uthappa among others in the pre-match talk show.
He did not take into account big-hearted bowlers in the rival camp and whether his batsmen were prepared for serious cross-examination.
The questions posed by Man of Match Ashish Nehra’s swing (three for 13), youngster Dhaval Kulkarni’s bounce (two for 21) and slow teasers from the seasoned Shaun Pollock and Dwayne Bravo went unanswered on a bowlers day out in the DLF-Indian Premier League seventh round.
Mumbai won by seven wickets after the high-flying visitor was brought down to earth at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, bowled out for 103 in 16.2 overs.
Heading the support cast for Mumbai bowlers was wicketkeeper Yogesh Takawale who showcased his talent and temperament behind and in front of the wickets on his home ground.
The D.Y. Patil Academy student pulled off a stumping of captain Shaun Pollock, snapped up three catches and had enough enthusiasm to go out there under the lights and blast the Rajasthan attack for 27 runs.
The home team overhauled the target comfortably in 15.1 overs for its third back-to-back win of the event.
Jayasuriya perished early, swishing at a ball from Watson without getting in line and holing out to Yusuf Pathan at mid-wicket.
The Lankan marauder had gone, but the 41-run first wicket stand with Takawale, off 45 balls had seen off the first charge from the Rajasthan pace bowlers, forcing Warne to take over. The first ball from the Aussie spin genius floored Takawale, beaten by the flipper, which skid through to rattle the stumps.
Earlier, Mumbai proved bowlers can rule in Twenty20, bowling out the opposition for 103 after Pollock opted to field.
The surprise weapons turned out to be bustling Kulkarni’s ability to generate bounce, supported by the reflex catches from Takawale. Swapnil Asnodkar 39 (36b) waged a lone battle at the crease.
Pollock stunned Smith with a slower ball. The Rajasthan opener was deceived on the front foot and gave wicketkeeper Takawale ample time to complete the stumping on the second attempt.
Nehra swung one past Yusuf Pathan’s flashing blade as Mumbai wrested early momentum. Asnodkar made batting look easy at the other end, picking the line early against both the new ball bowlers and forced shots through the off side.
He escaped once when a mishit fell short off Abhishek Nayar, running in from deep mid-wicket and diving in front as Rajasthan crossed the 50-run mark in the seventh over.
Pollock’s bowling change paid off when Bravo broke the 53-run stand between Asnodkar and Shane Watson 32 (20b).
Kulkarni and Takawale then teamed up to send back Ravindra Jadeja, who was caught behind fending a short ball.
Warne was Kulkarni’s second victim, while a frustrated Asnodkar perished to Rohan Raje.
Rajasthan’s plans of posting a challenging score crumbled as Nehra’s swing proved too potent for the tail.
Bravo brought the curtain down on the IPL league topper by foxing tailender Trivedi with a slower one.
The scores: Rajasthan Royals: G. Smith st. Takawale b Pollock 5, S. Asnodkar c Uthappa b Raje 39, Y. Pathan b Nehra 1, S. Watson b Bravo 32, Mohd. Kaif c Nehra b Raje 4, R. Jadeja c Takawale b Kulkarni 0, S. Warne c Takawale b Kulkarni 7, S. Tanvir b Nehra 6, M. Rawat c Takawale b Nehra 1, S. Trivedi b Bravo 1, Munaf (not out) 0, Extras (lb-2, w-5): 7; Total (in 16.2 overs) 103.
Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-21, 3-74 , 4-82, 5-82, 6-94, 7-95, 8-102, 9-103.
Mumbai Indians bowling: Pollock 3-0-19-1, Nehra 3-0-13-3, Kulkarni 3-0-21-2, Bravo 2.2-0-12-2, Jayasuriya 2-0-17-0, Raje 3-0-19-2.
Mumbai Indians: Y. Takawale b Warne 27, S. Jayasuriya c Y. Pathan b Watson 18, R. Uthappa (not out) 34, D. Bravo c Asnodkar b Watson 1, A. Nayar (not out) 12, Extras (lb-2, w-10): 12; Total (for three wkts. in 15.1 overs) 104.
Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-64, 3-72.
Rajasthan Royals bowling: Tanvir 3.1-0-13-0, Munaf 3-0-21-0, Trivedi 3-0-23-0, Watson 4-0-26-2, Warne 2-0-19-1.
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