Rajasthan Royals win hearts with Pathan's blitzkrieg despite losing to Mumbai Indians

Mumbai, March 13 (ANI: Mumbai Indians survived a brutal assault by Yusuf Pathan, as he struck a belligerent 37-ball 100, and still managed to register a four-run win over Rajasthan Royals in their opening match of the Indian Premier League on Saturday.

Yusuf slammed nine sixes and eight fours for his century to bring the Rajasthan Royals on the brink of victory by coming close to Mumbai Indians' 212 for six.

However, Yusuf was run out brilliantly by R Satish whom he had treated with utter disdain during his superb 107-run partnership with Paras Dogra (41 off 29 balls) for the fifth wicket to raise hopes of a miracle win.

The Royals commenced their chase to overhaul the record Mumbai Indians score on the wrong foot, as they lost opener Swapnil Asnodkar in the second ball without facing a ball due to a misunderstanding with Graeme Smith.

The last ball of the over was disdainfully dispatched to the backward square leg fence.

Earlier, good half centuries from Ambati Rayudu (55) and Saurabh Tiwary (53) following a sound start piloted Mumbai Indians to their highest-ever IPL total.

Guntur-born Rayudu, an ICL returnee, cracked 55 in 33 balls studded with 6 fours and 2 sixes while Jamshedpur-born Saurabh Tiwary slammed a breezy 53 in the same number of balls, embellished with 4 fours and two sixes.

The fourth wicket duo put on 110 runs in only 63 balls to lift Mumbai Indians from 70 for three to 180 for four.

The luck finally favoured the Mumbai Indians with the final Score: Rajasthan Royals: 208/7(20.0 overs) Mumbai Indians : 212/6 . (ANI)