Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals, Match 69 Match Summary

Goodbye, Mumbai - That's a wrap from the City of Dreams this season. A convincing win for the Rajasthan Royals confirms their playoff berth. They had a season of ups and downs. Started with four back-to-back wins initially but then failed to string a streak of wins in the mid season. Lost a few too many games at home, Jaipur, but with three back-to-back wins to close out their league phase, they ensured the last spot is theirs. They will now head to Mullanpur to play the Eliminator against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday, 27th May. The Mumbai Indians will aim to come back strongly next season, but they do manage to avoid the wooden spoon, finishing 9th this year. Well then, a highly entertaining game comes to an end. But cricketing action is far from being over as the Kolkata Knight Riders are up against the Delhi Capitals at the Eden Gardens in the evening game. With RR qualifying, the final league fixture of IPL 2026 is just more of a dead rubber. You can simply switch the tabs to follow all the updates from that game. But from here, we sign off. Take care.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - For his monumental all-round effort, JOFRA ARCHER receives the award. He scored a crucial cameo of 32 (15) and bowled an exceptional spell of 3/17 in 4 overs. On his season, Archer is measured. He admits that he does not think this is his best, but every time he takes the ball, he focuses on hitting good areas. Says that the rewards do not always come, but he is glad it clicked on a day that truly mattered. He is at peace with getting hit off a good delivery as he calls it a part of the game. On his bowling approach, he reveals the coaching staff told him early in the season to ditch the pace-off stuff. Explains that the logic is simple, that bowling with pace on gives more margin for error. Admits that you will deal with edges from time to time, but it is the safer option more often than not. On batting up the order, he admits he was not expecting it, especially with the impact sub rule in play. Shares that when the head coach told him to put his pads on, it caught him off guard. He is quick to add that he considers himself an all-rounder, even if the world insists on calling him a bowler. On how his body is holding up, he keeps it brief by saying it is all good and he is doing alright.

The captain of the Rajasthan Royals - Riyan Parag, on the win, says it always feels good when things go to plan, but he is quick to add that, qualification aside, there is still plenty to improve on. He details his thinking on Jadeja's role clearly. On that surface, having two batters both striking at 100 was not going to work. Says that he wanted one to take the initiative and the risks while the other dug in, and he notes Jadeja is as reliable as they come at the back end. He says that he knew Jadeja would get them at least 25 off 10, and he did exactly that. On his captaincy approach, he admits to making a lot of brave calls this season and says that is simply how he leads, at RR or back home with Assam. Accepts that the levels differ, but the instinct does not. He is firm that the call to bring Archer into the 16th over was no gamble. He had thought it through and was convinced there was only one man who could get Hardik out. It was Jofra, it paid off, and that says it all. He admits he does not hand out praise easily, deliberately so, to keep egos in check. But tonight, he says, Yash and Brijesh earn it. He singles out Brijesh for bouncing back despite sporadic game time, and calls Punja's journey from net bowler to lead spinner nothing short of remarkable. He hopes they have one more game in them, and then two more after that. He is honest about his own fitness, admitting he is far from fit and that everything tonight was mental. Reveals that he was not even supposed to play this game. He notes Jofra is fine, strong as a rock, and adds that Jadeja has his niggles but has got the sword in his hand. A warrior, he says, who will be back strongly. On the qualification, he admits RR should have sealed it earlier and left it too late. He feels they left a lot on the table this season, but hopes they take the lessons forward and put up a better show when it matters most.

... Time for the post-match Presentation ...

RR scraped their way beyond 200 - Far from their best, Rajasthan Royals still found a way past the 200-run mark. Jaiswal got a start but fell early, Sooryavanshi failed for once, and Parag went cheaply to leave RR wobbling at 54 for 3 at the end of the powerplay. Every time they threatened to build something, a wicket fell at a crucial stage, and they never quite got the partnership the innings needed. Jurel steadied one end while Shanaka chipped in with a breezy knock, and then Archer, promoted at number 7, blazed 32 off just 15 balls. Jadeja came in as the Impact Sub and finished things off with a crucial cameo. No single big contributor, but 111 off the last ten and 73 off the final five got them to a defendable total. Mumbai were decent enough without Bumrah, with Chahar, Bosch and Jacks accounting for the top three, though Ghazanfar got taken down, and a Shardul no-ball cost them dearly at the death.

Hard fight till the end - This collapse forced MI into yet another rebuild, but Hardik had other ideas. He came out full throttle from ball one, and Parag gifting him a life only added fuel to the fire. A couple of brutal overs swung the momentum back MI's way, with SKY ticking along steadily at the other end before bringing up his fifty. RR's middle-over woes continued to haunt them as MI plundered 98 in the 7th to 15th over phase, and the game was slipping fast. But Parag had been busy with his bowling changes, shuffling his options smartly to keep RR in the hunt. The masterstroke came when Archer was thrown the ball to bowl out in the 16th over, and he delivered exactly when it mattered most, sending Hardik back to end a partnership that was threatening to run away with the game. But with SKY still out there, MI had the hopes of winning, but his dismissal shut the door completely and it all unravelled quickly in the end for the hosts.

An early dent followed by a rebuild - MI had the worst possible start as they lost their top four inside the Powerplay and were on the mat already. With Archer, Burger and Brijesh running a riot with the new ball, the hosts were reduced to 38/4. MI could have been effectively 5 down if Brijesh had hung on to SKY's catch while batting on 27. MI needed some stability, which they eventually found through SKY and Jacks as the two battled hard through the middle overs in an alliance of 63 runs. Just when MI were gathering steam in the chase, Yash Punja put an end to that partnership, which reduced MI to 101/5.

From the coach himself - The head coach of the Rajasthan Royals, Kumar Sangakkara, is up for a chat. On the strategies made during the last Strategic Break, Sangakkara says it was purely about holding to the plan and keeping nerves in check. He feels the side that handles pressure better wins those moments, and he believes all his bowlers answered that call. Mentions that Jofra, Nandre, Brijesh, and both spinners were spot on and also praises the fielding effort. On promoting Archer up the order, he is candid. Admits that it is always guesswork, and is great when it works and ugly when it does not. Details that the plan was for Archer to take the risks early, then leave Ferreira and Dubey to finish off against bowlers wilting in the heat. Points that Ferreira fell, but Jadeja coming in and delivering with a bad elbow was a welcome bonus. On Archer, he says Jofra has been deeply invested in the team all season, helping those around him and spearheading the bowling attack from day one. Tells that he bowled brilliantly, but it was his batting that was truly exceptional. On Yash Punja, he calls him an interesting pick. Shares that Punja has been in the RR nets for three years, and also points to his height, the revs he generates, and his composure under pressure as the reasons they backed him. He acknowledges Bishnoi has had to sit out because of that call, but the way Punja bowled to seasoned batters on a good batting surface was excellent. He wants to see him grow and is clear about the philosophy as RR pick ability, not age.

The captain of the Mumbai Indians - Hardik Pandya says that it was quite hot, and their bowlers did well. The target was chasable, but they lost quick wickets at the start. Adds that the ball was coming nicely on the bat, and it didn't change much. On conceding 73 in the last five overs, he keeps it simple. He says cutting out one or two boundaries in that phase can make all the difference. About his fitness, he says everything is fine physically. He admits it was a nice change to just walk out and enjoy a game purely as a batter.

The Royals march through - There were times in this game when RR were tested hard and pushed to their limits with the bat and ball both, but they found a way through and stood tall in crunch moments when it mattered most. The Rajasthan Royals become the fourth and the final team to qualify for the playoffs and that also means that the Punjab Kings and the Kolkata Knight Riders are officially knocked out of the competition. A tough end for the Mumbai Indians in what has been a season to forget. They worked hard to end their campaign on a high in front of the home crowd but it just wasn't to be. This also marks their fifth defeat at the Wankhede this year.

And it's done and dusted. Rajasthan Royals are through to the playoffs. Yorker, wide of off, Shardul Thakur looks to play the reverse ramp but misses. The camera pans toward Riyan Parag, who has his arms aloft, and he looks at the heavens with a sigh of huge relief. Celebrations begin in the RR camp as they comprehensively beat MI by 30 runs.

Another one full and around off, AM Ghazanfar hits this in the air but well short of Yashasvi Jaiswal at long off for a run.

Full and around off, Shardul Thakur tucks this down to long on for a single.

Yorker, around off, Shardul Thakur jams this out.

Low full toss, on middle and leg, Shardul Thakur hits this to long on and denies the option of a single.

FOUR! Finds the gap! Full toss, wide of off, Shardul Thakur drives this through the gap towards the right of the fielder at extra cover for a boundary.

Final over coming up. Dasun Shanaka (1-0-15-0) will wrap it up.

Good length, around off, AM Ghazanfar swings early and gets beaten all ends up.

Slower one, full and wide of off, Shardul Thakur drives this through covers for a single.

Back of a length, around off, AM Ghazanfar punches this to sweeper cover for one.

Rajasthan Royals are just one wicket away from making it to the playoffs. AM Ghazanfar is the last man in for MI.

OUT! LBW! An excellent, dipping slower one, low full toss, on middle and off, Deepak Chahar once again plays for the pace on delivery and gets beaten. The ball hits the batter on his front pad and just an appeal is what the umpire was waiting to raise his finger. Deepak turns and starts to walk towards the dugout but opts for a review purely in hope of a miracle. Ball Tracking shows three reds with the ball hitting the roots of middle and off. Deepak Chahar continues to walk back.

Slower one, short and wide of off, Deepak Chahar clears his front foot and swings at it but the bat arrives early and the ball comes late.

Yorker, around off, Shardul Thakur tucks this away through mid on for one.

Last 2 overs left. MI need 40 runs. Brijesh Sharma (3-0-23-1) will bowl the penultimate over and will bowl out.

On a length, around off, going across the batter. Deepak swings and misses.

SIX! Out of the park from Deepak. On a length, around off, Deepak Chahar gets inside the line of the ball and smashes this out of the park towards the cow corner region for a massive biggie. MI needs more such hits.

DROPPED! Good length, wide of off, Deepak Chahar looks to swing it out of the park but miscues this off the cue end towards the right of Jofra Archer at the mid on region. Jofra moves to his right and puts in a dive, but doesn't grab hold of it. Jofra falls a bit awkwardly on his right knee and yells in frustration. He eventually stands up and is moving well. A couple taken.

MI are left shellshocked with the slide. And with SKY dismissed, that brings Deepak Chahar to the crease at number 10.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! This probably seals the final spot in the playoffs with RR taking the wicket of Surya in this situation. Slower and into the deck, around off, Suryakumar Yadav puts a lot of muscle behind this but hits this off the bottom edge and straight back into the hands of Nandre Burger in his follow-through. Nandre doesn't drop it and ends up grabbing it to his left around the waist. The ball threatens to burst through, but Burger manages to cling on. Suryakumar Yadav departs and with him, the game slips almost beyond reach for the Mumbai Indians.