Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended their long-standing losing streak at the Wankhede Stadium with a thrilling 12-run victory over Mumbai Indians (MI) in yesterday’s IPL clash. In a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, RCB set an imposing score of 221/5, thanks to brilliant knocks from Virat Kohli and skipper Rajat Patidar. Despite a spirited chase led by Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya, MI fell short, managing only 209/9 in their 20 overs.
This win marked RCB’s first triumph at the Wankhede since 2015, as they finally overcame their struggles at the iconic venue. The disciplined bowling effort in the death overs, particularly from Krunal Pandya, proved decisive and handed MI their third defeat of the season.
Kohli and Patidar Lead RCB’s Batting Charge
RCB made a strong start after opting to bat first. Virat Kohli looked in sublime form as he anchored the innings with a fluent knock of 67 off just 42 balls. Opening alongside Devdutt Padikkal, Kohli stitched an 85-run partnership that set the tone for a massive total. The former captain played his trademark shots with elegance, finding gaps with precision and clearing the ropes with ease.
After Padikkal’s dismissal for 31, Rajat Patidar took charge of the innings. The young skipper delivered a scintillating performance, smashing 64 off just 32 deliveries. His innings was laced with seven boundaries and three towering sixes, showcasing his ability to dominate bowlers under pressure. Jitesh Sharma provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten cameo of 40 off just 19 balls, helping RCB cross the daunting 220-run mark.
Mumbai’s bowlers struggled to contain RCB’s aggressive batting. While Jasprit Bumrah bowled economically, conceding only 29 runs in his four overs, others proved expensive. Arshad Khan and Piyush Chawla leaked runs in crucial moments, allowing RCB to maintain their momentum throughout the innings.
MI’s Chase Falls Short Despite Late Heroics
Chasing a mammoth target of 222, MI needed a strong start but faltered early on. Rohit Sharma showed glimpses of his brilliance with a quickfire 17 but fell to Yash Dayal while attempting an ambitious shot. Ryan Rickelton followed soon after, trapped leg-before by Josh Hazlewood for another brisk 17.
Suryakumar Yadav and Will Jacks steadied the innings briefly with a cautious partnership of 41 runs. However, Suryakumar’s dismissal for 28 triggered a collapse that left MI reeling at 98/4. Just when it seemed like RCB had taken complete control of the game, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya reignited hopes for the home side.
Tilak played a sensational knock of 56 off just 29 balls, smashing six boundaries and three sixes. Hardik joined him with an explosive innings of 42 off only 15 deliveries, taking on RCB’s bowlers with fearless stroke play. Their partnership of 89 runs brought MI tantalisingly close to victory.
However, Krunal Pandya turned the game around for RCB in the final over. With MI needing 19 runs off six balls, Krunal bowled brilliantly under pressure and picked up three wickets in quick succession. His heroics ensured that MI fell short by 12 runs and handed RCB a much-needed win.
A Memorable Night for RCB
The victory at Wankhede not only ended RCB’s eight-match losing streak at this venue but also gave them crucial points in their quest for playoff qualification. Kohli and Patidar’s commanding performances with the bat laid the foundation for this win, while Krunal Pandya’s composure under pressure sealed it in style.
For Mumbai Indians, this defeat highlighted their inconsistency this season. While Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya impressed with their batting efforts, the team failed to capitalise on key moments during both innings. With three losses in five games so far, MI will need to regroup quickly to stay in contention for the playoffs.
As IPL fans witnessed yet another nail-biting contest last night, RCB walked away with bragging rights and renewed confidence. For MI supporters, however, it was an evening of heartbreak despite some stunning individual performances on display.
