MI vs RR Match 69 Results

2:58 PM IST 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.

2:56 PM IST 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 ends by saying that Jofra is strong and that he hopes he will be fit for the next game. He ends by saying that they should have qualified a lot earlier, but they eventually did, so it's a great feeling.

2:53 PM IST 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. 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 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.

2:52 PM IST 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.

2:37 PM IST ... Time for the post-match Presentation ...

2:37 PM IST 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.