RR vs KKR, 30th Match at Mumbai, IPL, Apr 18 2022 - Ball by Ball Commentary

This game had every ebb and flow imaginable with thrilling performances that embellished the play and kept us on the edge of our seats. Check out the Match Report to re-live the key phases. On a broader scale, the win puts the Royals second on the Points Table. The differences in the Net Run Rates among the top-4 teams are low, so tomorrow's match between RCB and LSG, as Deivarayan Muthu writes in the preview, puts the top spot up for grabs. Join us then, a day is needed to relax after the adventure tonight anyway. For now, this is goodbye from me, Ekanth, my fellow commentator, Sidharth Monga, and our scorers, Thilak Rama and Ranjith.

Another Stat from Sampath: 200+ totals despite four batters dismissed for a duck in T20s:

210 by KKR vs RR, Brabourne, 2022

202 by KKR vs CSK, Wankhede, 2021

Suresh: "Prasiddh's 19th went for 7 runs which game McCoy something to bowl at."

Sandeep: "A thought for Umesh the legend. No one bought him at the auction and for him to pull the game till the last over!"

Ronald Dunai: "What a match and a pitch to commemorate the 15th anniversary of IPL !"

Sanju Samson, Rajasthan Royals Captain: It was very tense and interesting. It was important to be calm and believe in ourselves. Halfway, I thought it was chaseable. They played very well and did not give chances. But the wickets helped. Chahal and Buttler's performances were there for the world to see. Ashwin's ball stood out as well. McCoy does not talk much and is calm, his ability to bowl well under pressure was commendable.

Yuzavendra Chahal, Player of the Match says his celebration was based on the meme that came from the 2019 World Cup. His plan was going wide and full to the right handers. He said the attempt was to bowl to the longer boundary. He was thinking of the googly for the hat-trick ball but went with the safer option. He thought the googly came well to Venkatesh Iyer and said he will come on with the Purple Cap the next time.

Stat from Sampath: KKR's record at Brabourne is now 0-5. They don't play any more matches at this venue.

Shreyas Iyer: We went in line with the run-rate from the start thanks to Finch. We could not continue which was bad but it is a part of the game. (On Nitish's dismissal) My plan was to bat till the end, Yuzi had a favourable matchup against him. Jos started slow but he took off, he manoeuvred the ball well and continued really well. Conditions-wise, there was not much dew and the wicket was amazing to bat on. The ground has not been good for us but we will look to come back positively. (On his innings) I love pressure. I did not think of what the teammates thought of the score, I wanted to go all in. I thought if they can get it, so can I.

11:35 pm: After a twist-and-turn galore, it was the hat-trick of Chahal and the century of Buttler that end up as winning performances. McCoy's debut has him ending the game that sets the dug-out celebrate in victory and his teammates thrilled! The chase started off with Finch going all in with aggressive shots, he and Iyer shared a 107-run partnership after a poor run-out took out Narine. Iyer's partnership with Rana took things further. Chahal took out the middle and lower middle order, Umesh tried to pull things back at the end but couldn't.

Umesh on strike. All or nothing with 8 required off 3.

Varun is on strike, one wicket left!

11 needed off 6, McCoy starts from over the wicket

First time ever in the IPL there was a century and a five-wicket haul in the same match.

SAJJAD AKBAR: "What a dramatic match... worthwatching really."

V Raghunathan: "18.1 Hand of God ( saved him)"

14 needed off 9, two wickets in hand. Buttler has a word from long-off

Prasidh starts from around the wicket

Umesh has pumped, pulled, and swatted some life into this game with a 20-run over.

Dharam: "Phenomenal! Just phenomenal play in last few overs of this innings, with Chahal coming out on top! This IPL goes on to demonstrate, quite firmly I must add, the value of mental fortitude in sports. The guys with Never Say Never attitude coming out on top! Very exciting time to be a cricket fan! "

Vinod Rajpal: "21st hat-trick overall in the IPL and 5th by RR bowler after Chandila, Tambe, Watson,Gopal !!" Thanks

21st hat-trick overall in the IPL says Ian Bishop on air

Slip in for the hat trick ball. Googly incoming?

Kumar: "This Brabourne ground is brilliant. Nice dimensions which make the batsman work and the middle wicket is very sporting with grass! Will be great for ODI and tests!"