The Mumbai Indians became the second team after Chennai Super Kings to reach the play-off in IPL 6. With a 14-run victory over the Rajasthan Royals, they now lead the points table. Both Mumbai and Chennai have 22 points each from 15 matches.
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Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to field first. With some superb bowling and fielding in the death overs, they restricted Mumbai to 166/8 in 20 overs. Aditya Tare, who got a chance to play in place of injured Sachin Tendulkar, scored 59. Maxwell (23) and Dinesh Karthik (21) were the other contributors. Faulkner and Shane Watson took two wickets each.
Chasing a victory target of 167, Rajasthan Royals failed before the pace of Dhawal Kulkarni, Mitchell Johnson and Lasith Malinga and finished at 152/7 in 20 overs. Stuart Binny remained unbeaten on 37, while Brad Hodge scored 39. Johnson and Kulkarni took two wickets each. Aditya Tare was declared ‘Man of the Match’.