In a thrilling encounter at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on April 7, 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured a 12-run victory over Mumbai Indians (MI), marking their first win at this venue since 2015.
RCB’s Innings:
After being put in to bat by MI’s captain Hardik Pandya, RCB posted a formidable total of 221/5 in their 20 overs. The innings was anchored by Virat Kohli, who scored a fluent 67 off 42 balls, reaching his half-century in just 29 deliveries.
This innings also saw Kohli surpass the 13,000-run mark in T20 cricket, making him the first Indian and fifth overall to achieve this milestone.
Captain Rajat Patidar played a scintillating knock, amassing 64 runs from 32 balls, including several powerful strokes that propelled RCB’s scoring rate.
Devdutt Padikkal contributed a valuable 37 off 22 balls, ensuring RCB capitalized on the solid foundation laid by the top order.
Despite the return of MI’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who bowled economically in his spell, RCB managed to accelerate in the latter stages, adding 52 runs in the final four overs.
MI’s Chase:
Chasing a daunting target of 222, MI’s innings began with promise as Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton took the crease.
Rohit started aggressively, scoring 17 runs before being dismissed by Yash Dayal. The middle order faced challenges, with Suryakumar Yadav and Will Jacks attempting to stabilize the innings but unable to maintain the required run rate.
A resurgence came in the form of Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya. Tilak showcased his batting prowess with a rapid 56 off 29 balls, while Hardik played a captain’s knock, scoring 42 from just 15 deliveries. Their partnership reignited MI’s hopes, bringing the equation down to 19 runs needed off the final over.
However, RCB’s Krunal Pandya held his nerve in the decisive moments. He dismissed Mitchell Santner and Deepak Chahar in consecutive deliveries, effectively sealing the game for RCB. MI concluded their innings at 209/9, falling short by 12 runs.
MI vs RCB 20th Match Highlights:
- Virat Kohli’s Milestone: Kohli became the first Indian to surpass 13,000 T20 runs, joining an elite group of cricketers.
- Rajat Patidar’s Captaincy Knock: Patidar’s aggressive 64 off 32 balls provided the impetus RCB needed in the middle overs.
- Hardik and Tilak’s Effort: Despite the loss, the duo’s late onslaught brought MI tantalizingly close to the target, showcasing resilience and skill.
This victory propels RCB up the points table, while MI will look to regroup and address the inconsistencies that have plagued their campaign thus far.
