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Mumbai Indians player Michael Hussey plays a shot during the IPL match against Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad on Monday. Image Credit: PTI

Ahmedabad: Mumbai Indians kept their play-off hopes alive with a comfortable 25-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in a one-sided Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter here on Monday.

Batting first, Mumbai scored a stiff 178 for three riding on half-centuries from Lendl Simons (62) and Mike Hussey (56).

In reply, Royals were never in the chase as they were restricted for 153 for eight. Karun Nair with 48 off 24 balls was the lone ranger for the Royals. Brad Hodge (40) and James Faulkner (31) tried their best at the end but it was too late by then.

It was a collective effort by the Indians bowlers led by senior pro Harbhajan Singh, who shone with brilliant figures of two for 13 from four overs. Pragyan Ojha also did his bit with two for 30.

The Royals team management’s baffling decision to rest the performing trio of Ajinkya Rahane, Pravin Tambe and Steven Smith backfired as the team lost the necessary momentum going into the match.

Royals, with 14 points from 12 games, remain third in the table and firmly in the hunt. But back-to-back losses will certainly affect their chances of finishing in the top two, which would have given them an additional game to make the final.

Mumbai now have eight points from 11 matches.

Unmukt Chand (2) finally got a game but it could well be the last one in the tournament. He was given a rank bad delivery from Ojha but Unmukt failed in his bid to play a proper pull-shot and Hussey made no mistake on the deep mid-wicket boundary.

Shane Watson (5) did not get going as he misjudged the turn off an Ojha delivery and the ball ballooned up after hitting the toe-end of the bat for Ambati Rayudu to take a simple catch at mid-on.

Sanju Samson (2) also played early to a Krishmar Santokie slower to give Rayudu got his second catch as Royals were reduced to 42 for three.

While Karun was playing his strokes at other end, Kevon Cooper was dismissed by a sheer piece of fielding brilliance from Kieron Pollard standing at the long-on boundary. Cooper hit a Harbhajan delivery that would have been a sure six had any other fielder save Pollard been manning that area.

The giant Caribbean timed his jump to perfection as he plucked a one-handed catch, but the momentum was forcing him over the ropes. He kept his balance and threw the ball inside. He then turned in a flash to dive in front and complete a stunner to leave Cooper shell-shocked.