NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a commanding all-round performance to outclass Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in a high-scoring IPL clash at the Wankhede. Powered by explosive half-centuries from Phil Salt, Virat Kohli and skipper Rajat Patidar, RCB posted a massive 240/4, which MI could not fully chase despite a late fightback led by Sherfane Rutherford.RCB came out swinging from the start, with Kohli setting the tone in trademark fashion, including a stunning flicked six early on. Phil Salt then took charge, tearing into the MI attack with fearless strokeplay, punishing both pace and spin as he raced to 78 off just 36 balls.
The opening stand of 120 put MI immediately on the back foot.Even when MI tried changing bowlers, nothing worked. Salt smashed Mitchell Santner for three consecutive sixes, while Mayank Markande was taken apart. Eventually, Shardul Thakur broke through by dismissing Salt, but the damage was already done.Rajat Patidar then walked in and went into full attack mode, smashing a 17-ball fifty and continuing the carnage with clean hitting over the infield. Kohli held one end steady, bringing up his fifty before falling in the 15th over after scoring 50 off 37 balls. Tim David then added a quick unbeaten 34, pushing RCB to a daunting 240.
MI fall short at the end
Mumbai Indians’ chase never fully settled despite a decent start. Ryan Rickelton looked promising with 37 off 22, but wickets at key moments derailed momentum. Rohit Sharma’s injury retirement further hurt their balance early on.Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya tried to rebuild, but RCB’s bowlers kept striking at regular intervals. Krunal Pandya’s tight spell and Suyash Sharma’s breakthroughs in the middle overs ensured MI never got a real launchpad, going several overs without a six during a crucial phase.The only real resistance came late from Sherfane Rutherford, who smashed an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls with a flurry of sixes to narrow the margin. However, the target of 241 proved too steep, and MI ended at 222/5.In the end, RCB’s top-order firepower and early dominance sealed a comfortable 18-run win in a run-fest at the Wankhede.
