Rajasthan Royals (RR) rode on Steve Smith’s well-paced half-century and 17-year-old Riyan Parag’s quickfire 43 to thrash Mumbai Indians (MI) by 5 wickets at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday.
Smith, who replaced Ajinkya Rahane as the RR skipper ahead of the match, played a superb knock, smashing his second half-century of the season. The Royals comfortably gunned down a 162-run target as they got past the finish line with five balls to spare.
Parag emerged as the unlikely hero for the hosts as the Assam all-rounder took the Mumbai bowlers to the cleaners unperturbed by the size of the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Meanwhile, Quinton de Kock (65), Suryakumar (34) and Hardik Pandya (23) were the main scorers for the MI team as they put up 161/5 in 20 overs, while skipper Rohit Sharma fell for 5 runs, to a leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Upset result IMO. Mumbai had been impressive leading into the match while Rajasthan were struggling. Chasing 163 target no easy against a formidable attack. Change in Steve Smith’s profile — captain and opener — has paid dividends
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 20, 2019
This boy Riyan Parag has Solid cricketing attitude 💪👍🏻 #Assam #RRvsMI
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 20, 2019
Have to admit that Shreyas Gopal is the find of the tournament, he has been brilliant so far but hasn't got any team support! @rajasthanroyals look good at the moment#RRvMI
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) April 20, 2019
People wondering why we haven’t seen Riyan Parag more this season. He’s 17 and #RR have been playing night games, and he didn’t get a note from his family to stay out late🤓
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) April 20, 2019
Very impressed with young Riyan Parag. Something about him. #RR have been really positive today and negated spin by taking 48 from 4 overs off K Pandya and Markande
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 20, 2019
Riyan Parag (43) -n 17y-161d – missed being the youngest to hit an #IPL fifty.
Both Sanju Samson in 2013 and Prithvi Shaw in 2018 were 18y-169d – still remain the youngest.#RRvMI#IPL2019— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) April 20, 2019
That winning feeling! 😃😃
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀#HallaBol #RRvMI #RR pic.twitter.com/oe6786fwL8— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 20, 2019
That's that from the SMS stadium as the @rajasthanroyals win by 5 wickets.#RRvMI pic.twitter.com/f6H7CnRlYt
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2019
17-year-old Riyan Parag played havoc with Mumbai's aspirations!#RRvMI #IPL2019 #RiyanParag pic.twitter.com/5hWneW7Owa
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) April 20, 2019
Chin up, boys. We continue to fight 👊#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians #RRvMI pic.twitter.com/pG5AwqOvEZ
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 20, 2019
RR Fans To Their Team 😍#SayItWithCoke pic.twitter.com/rqoJnJCAAY
— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) April 20, 2019
Well Played Riyan Parag !!!
Wishing a bright future for you.#RRvsMI
— Being Safique (@Safiqueahmed7) April 20, 2019
What an innings Riyan parag 🙌
Absolutely top knock and match winning. 👏👏#RRvMI #IPL2019
— 🫧. (@nxwanderlust) April 20, 2019
The @rajasthanroyals Skipper is adjudged the Man of the Match for his match-winning knock of 59* pic.twitter.com/bGpnKCGwNZ
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2019
