Rajasthan Royals players thank Jaipur crowd after their last match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium

In a thrilling match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) showcased their dominance as they secured a convincing nine-wicket victory over the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 38th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on Monday, April 22nd. This remarkable triumph not only solidified their position at the summit of the points table but also left a lasting impression on cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

Mumbai Indians’ Struggles

Opting to bat first, Mumbai Indians faced early setbacks with their openers Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan departing cheaply at 6 and 0 runs, respectively. Despite a brief resurgence led by Nehal Wadhera and Tilak Varma, who constructed a commendable 99-run partnership for the fifth wicket, Mumbai faltered against Sandeep Sharma’s exceptional death bowling. Sharma’s remarkable figures of 5/18 restricted MI to a modest total of 179 runs.

RR’s Commanding Chase

In response, Rajasthan Royals embarked on a flawless chase, led by the heroics of Yashasvi Jaiswal. The young batsman crafted a magnificent unbeaten century, amassing 104 runs off just 60 deliveries, steering RR towards victory. Jos Buttler’s (35 off 25) early contributions and Sanju Samson’s (38* off 28) steady partnership with Jaiswal ensured a comfortable chase for the Royals, who reached the target with nine wickets in hand and eight balls to spare.

Heartfelt Farewell to Jaipur Fans

Following their emphatic victory, the Rajasthan Royals players expressed their gratitude to the enthusiastic Jaipur crowd by embarking on a celebratory lap around the stadium. This match marked the last appearance for the team at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, as they will now continue their home matches at the ACA Stadium in Barsapara, Guwahati.

Reason for Venue Change

The decision to relocate the team’s home venue from Rajasthan to Assam aims to expand RR’s fan base in North-East India. With standout all-rounder Riyan Parag hailing from Guwahati, the Royals seek to capitalize on the popularity of a local talent to enhance the team’s visibility. Despite RR’s impressive performances in previous IPL seasons, including their victory in the inaugural season, they have remained one of the less popular teams in the league.

As Rajasthan Royals bid farewell to their loyal supporters in Jaipur and embark on a new journey in Guwahati, cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate their continued success and the emergence of new stars in the upcoming matches of the IPL 2024 season.