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The situation went from bad to worse for Mumbai Indians as the Hardik Pandya-led side slumped to their third consecutive defeat in IPL 2024. The five-time champions were completely outplayed by Rajasthan Royals as they suffered a six-wicket loss on Monday. The loss means that MI are in the tenth position with the worst Net Run Rate (NRR) in the competition. This has been a terrible start for them and the defeat certainly increased the pressure on Hardik and Co. On the other hand, RR claimed the top spot from Kolkata Knight Riders with the comprehensive victory.

A clinical Rajasthan Royals romped home for a third win on the trot in IPL 2024 with a six-wicket hammering of Mumbai Indians, whose skipper Hardik Pandya continued to be on the receiving end of fans’ anger,.

After Yuzvendra Chahal (3/11) and Trent Boult (3/22) combined to suffocate Mumbai Indians with the bat, restricting them to 125/9, Riyan Parag (54 not out) churned out yet another top-drawer knock to take Rajasthan Royals to the first spot in the IPL points table.

The 22-year-old Parag continued to make giant strides this season with a knock that reflected his maturity and aggression, dishing out some spectacular hits while being single-minded to not relent until his side was over the line.

Parag’s knock was studded with five fours and three sixes as Royals reached 127/4 from 15.3 overs, winning with 27 balls to spare.

Meanwhile, there was no letup for Pandya who was booed on several occasions in Mumbai Indians’ first home game. It started with Pandya being booed when he took field for warm-up drills and the fans hit the player hard again when he came out for the toss.

Even though commentator and former India and Mumbai player Sanjay Manjrekar appealed to the crowd to “behave”, the boos continued until Pandya hit a few fours to bring smile back on Mumbai fans after their side was left reeling at 20/4 inside the powerplay.

(With PTI inputs)