In a high-octane IPL 2025 clash at the Wankhede Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) held their nerve to defeat Mumbai Indians (MI) by 12 runs in a match filled with explosive batting and dramatic twists.
RCB Post Commanding 221/5 After Kohli-Patidar Show
Winning the toss, MI skipper Hardik Pandya elected to bowl first, hoping to exploit early swing. However, RCB’s openers Virat Kohli (52 off 34) and Devdutt Padikkal (38 off 22) set the tone with a fiery start. Despite Trent Boult striking early to remove Phil Salt, Kohli anchored the innings with his trademark elegance, becoming the first Indian to cross 13,000 T20 runs.
Rajat Patidar (56 off 29) then unleashed a brutal assault, smashing sixes at will, while cameos from Liam Livingstone and Tim David propelled RCB to a daunting 221/5. Hardik Pandya (2/35) and Boult (2/48) were the pick of MI’s bowlers, but wayward spells from others proved costly.
MI’s Chase Falters Despite Hardik’s Blitz
In reply, MI lost Rohit Sharma (12) early, but Tilak Varma (54 off 30) kept hopes alive with a composed fifty. The game turned when Hardik Pandya (42 off 15) launched a breathtaking counterattack, hammering boundaries at will. His explosive knock, including four sixes, brought MI back into contention.
However, Krunal Pandya (4/32) turned the game in RCB’s favor with crucial wickets, including Hardik and Tilak. Despite late resistance from Mitchell Santner, MI fell short at 209/9, handing RCB a hard-fought victory.
Key Moments
- Kohli’s Milestone: Became the first Indian to reach 13,000 T20 runs.
- Patidar’s Carnage: His 29-ball 50 shifted momentum decisively.
- Hardik’s Heroics: A whirlwind 42 nearly stole the game for MI.
- Krunal’s Magic: His four-wicket haul broke MI’s chase.
Post-Match Reactions
Virat Kohli (RCB): “We countered well after losing Salt early. Dev and Rajat played brilliantly. The pitch wasn’t easy, but we adapted well.”
Hardik Pandya (MI): “We fought hard, but RCB bowled better in the death. We’ll come back stronger.”
Points Table Impact
- RCB climb to 3rd with 3 wins in 4 games.
- MI slip to 8th, with just 1 win in 5 matches.
What’s Next?
RCB will look to build momentum, while MI faces a must-win situation in their upcoming fixtures.
Final Score:
RCB – 221/5 (20) | MI – 209/9 (20)
Result: RCB won by 12 runs
Player of the Match: Krunal Pandya (4/32 & 12 off 5)*
Stay tuned for more IPL 2025 action!
