Mumbai go the extra Nile

Sharjah, October 5

Jimmy Neesham and Nathan Coulter-Nile bowled exceptionally well to keep Mumbai Indians alive and thriving as they outclassed Rajasthan Royals by eight wickets in a low-scoring Indian Premier League match here today.

New Zealander Neesham (3/12) and Aussie Coulter-Nile (4/14) snapped seven wickets for only 26 runs in eight overs between them to choke Rajasthan for a meagre 90/9.

The five-time champions then knocked off the runs in 8.2 overs to go up to 12 points and more importantly improve their net run-rate to -0.048. This was also the biggest victory for MI in terms of balls left (70).

Ishan Kishan (50 not out) got some much-needed confidence during the short chase.

The Royals did not have many quality Indian players except Yashasvi Jaiswal. Kishan hit five fours and three sixes. Fittingly, he finished it with a maximum. — PTI

Brief scores: Rajasthan Royals: 90/9 in 20 overs (E Lewis 24, D Miller 15; N Coulter-Nile 4/14, J Neesham 3/12). Mumbai Indians: 94/2 in 8.2 overs (I Kishan 50 not out,R Sharma 22; M Rahman 1/32).

Curran ruled out of T20 World Cup

London: All-rounder Sam Curran has been ruled out of the ICC T20 World Cup with a lower back injury, which he sustained during an Indian Premier League game for Chennai Super Kings, the England and Wales Cricket Board said today. “Extremely gutted…absolutely loved my time with Chennai this season,” Curran told CSK. PTI