IPL 2018: I Want Our Boys to Stand Up, Says Ajinkya Rahane

England’s Jos Buttler has continued to sizzle for Rajasthan Royals (RR). He has been in rich form and Ajinkya Rahane and his men required to bag a couple of points, in a must-win against a strong Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede.

In general, both the sides were desperate for a win. The hosts started off on a good note as Evin Lewis smacked four boundaries and as many sixes to forge 87-run opening stand along with Suryakumar Yadav.

The right-hand batsman Suryakumar scored 38 off 31 balls, courtesy of seven smooth fours and helped his side set the platform.

Skipper Rohit Sharma was out for a golden duck but a 36 off 21 balls from Hardik Pandya ensured a decent total on the board.

Quick Read: IPL 2018: Jos Buttler Didn’t Give Us Any Chance, Says Rohit Sharma

The Mumbai side finished on 168 for six in their allotted 20 overs and the Royals had to chase down 169 – to stay in the hunt for a playoff berth.

Their best bet Buttler took the matter into his own hands once again. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane didn’t set the stage on fire but played the role of a second fiddle very well.

Ajinkya Rahane urges his boys to stand up:

Sanju Samson, who failed to convert the good starts of late, provided the fire to take his side home. He made 26 off 14 balls and got out while looking to go for a big one towards the end of the innings.

Rahane was a relieved man at the end of the seven-wicket win.

“Rahane said that the boys aimed at getting used to the different conditions, which was a challenge. With the playoff s berth very much in touching distance,” during the presentation, Rahane urged his boys in blue to stand up and make it count.

Rahane further wants his teammates to deliver big in the impending games.

“Our discussion before the match was to get used to these conditions because they are completely different. Two games to go and I want our boys to stand up.” he said, as the Royals will now look to end the group stages with a couple of wins.

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