Steven Smith piles more misery on Mumbai as Rajasthan extend perfect start to IPL 2015

Stece Smith, right, led the Royals to a seven-wicket victory as Rajasthan made in three wins from three. Ravindranath K / The National

Mumbai 164-5 in 20 overs (Kieron Pollard 70, Corey Anderson 50; Dhawal Kulkarni 1-15); lost to Rajasthan 165-3 in 19.1 overs (Steven Smith 79 not out, Ajinkya Rahane 46; Vinay Kumar 1-13)

An unbeaten 79 from Steven Smith anchored a chase of 165 and steered Rajasthan Royals to a seven-wicket win over Mumbai Indians.

It was Royals’ third win in three games and Mumbai’s third loss in three.

Once again, Mumbai’s top order failed and, even though Corey Anderson and Kieron Pollard gave their innings an explosive finish, their sluggish start proved the difference between the two sides.

Royals kept wickets in hand through their chase and built momentum steadily, with a 64-run second-wicket stand between Ajinkya Rahane and Smith laying the foundation for the final charge.

When Rahane was dismissed, Royals needed 73 from 41 balls, with eight wickets in hand. Deepak Hooda, promoted to No 4, provided some of the impetus, before Lasith Malinga took out his leg stump.

At the fall of Hooda’s wicket, Smith was on 35 off 31, but the change of gears was swift in the 17th over and they got home with five balls remaining.

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