Mumbai Indians (MI) took on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at home on 11 April.
Bengaluru had a rocky start to their innings. Their star, Virat Kohli, got out cheaply in just 3 off 9 balls. The seasoned Jasprit Bumrah claimed his wicket as Ishan Kishan took an excellent catch at the wicket. Will Jacks was also soon released. With RCB at 23/2, captain Faf du Plessis and Rajat Patidar tied the innings.
Both du Plessis and Patidar reached their 50s and built an 82-run partnership. When South African quick Gerald Coetzee dismissed Patidar (50 off 26 balls), RCB were looking good at 105/3 in 11.3 overs.
However, Glenn Maxwell’s poor form continued; he was out for a duck, as were Mahipal Lomror and Vyshak Vijay Kumar. But it was finisher Dinesh Karthik who had another great day at the office. His unbeaten 53 off 23, with five 4s and four 6s, took the Challengers to 196/8 in 20 overs. Jasprit Bumrah took 5/21 in his 4 overs.
Mumbai came out all guns blazing in their reply to RCB. Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma got off to a brisk start for MI. The Mumbai openers put on a 101-run partnership.
Ishan was devastating with his 69 off 34 balls, with seven 4s and five 6s. On the other hand, Rohit took his time to open up. By the time Reece Topley took a stunning catch at short fine leg to dismiss Rohit, he had made 38 off 24 balls.
SKY’s 52 off 19 balls (five 4s, four 6s) ensured Mumbai were home well before the cut. Tilak Varma had fun with 16 off 10 balls. It was just 15.3 overs when skipper Hardik Pandya (21 off 6 balls) finished it off with an incredible 6 off Akash Deep. Mumbai won by 7 wickets.
