Mumbai Indians open their account in IPL 2022 with a upset win over Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals gave Mumbai Indians a target of 159 runs as the in-form Englishman Jos Buttler made yet another half-century. However, no one apart from Buttler in the Rajasthan contingent could perform with the bat as Rajasthan Royals were restricted to just north of the 150 runs-mark.

Mumbai Indians then replied with a brilliant batting performance, including Suryakumar Yadav's half-century and youngster Tilak Varma hammering 35 runs. Mumbai Indians finished at 161/5 with four balls remaining. 

Jos Buttler helps Rajasthan Royals put on a respectable total.

Mumbai Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and sent the Rajasthan Royals to bat first. 

Buttler's form in this iteration of the Indian Premier League has been nothing short of magic. The Englishman has already scored multiple centuries in 9 matches and didn't disappoint against bottom-of-the-table Mumbai Indians.

After being sent to first, Buttler and Devdutt Padikkal opened the batting for Rajasthan. However, the Buttler didn't find rhythm in the first half of his innings and couldn't capitalize in the power play overs as Padikkal departed in the fifth over off Hrithik Shokeen's ball.

What followed from here onwards was a below-average batting performance by Rajasthan. Skipper Sanju Samson came in and put shots over the fence and returned to the dugout soon after on a ball by debutant Kumar Kartikeya. 

Rajasthan Royals then steadily settled on 73/2 after ten overs. Daryl Mitchell was then removed by Daniel Sams in the 15th over. Meanwhile, Rajasthan needed a boost after going through a drought of boundaries. 

And once again, it was Jos Buttler with his magical bat who came to the rescue. The Englishman hit four consecutive sixes off of Shokeen's 16th over, much to the amazement of a roaring crowd. However, good things end, and so did Buttler's inning at 67 off 52 balls on the last ball of the costly over.

With another great spectacle of a knock, Buttler sits atop the orange cap list with 566 runs in 9 matches. The Englishman has an average north of 70 runs, and it doesn't look like any other batsman will be dethroning him soon.

After Buttler, it was just Ashwin on the crease who could make a difference and hit a quick 21 off of 9 balls to help take Rajasthan's score to 158 for 6. 

As for Mumbai Indians in the first innings, rookie Kartikeya was impressed with his spell of 4-0-19-1, which included nine dot balls and the wicket of the opposition skipper Sanju Samson.

Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma take Mumbai Indians home in 19.2 overs.

Mumbai Indians came to bat with the hope of winning their first match of the season. Meanwhile, skipper Rohit Sharma could not perform on his birthday and went back to the pavilion with only two runs. 

After the skipper's dismissal, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav took ownership of the innings in the power play overs. However, Kishan's 15.2 crore purchase fell to pressure yet again and departed for 26 off 18 balls. 

However, Suryakumar Yadav stood like a pillar at the crease. With Tilak Varma joining him in the sixth over, the duo ensured that Mumbai Indians got a win as they added 81 runs to the scoreboard for the third wicket. 

Mumbai Indians were 122/3 in 15 overs when Yadav departed off a Yuzvendra Chahal delivery after bringing up his half-century with a six.

Tim David added the final touch to the chase after Varma's departure, as Daniel Sams hit the winning six for the Mumbai Indians.

Although this win won't mean anything for Mumbai Indians in the standings, they will feel better after their maiden win this season. Mumbai Indians will take on Gujarat Titans on May 6, whereas Rajasthan Royals will play against Kolkata Knight Riders on May 2.