Salt, Kohli and Patidar fuel RCB’s 18-run win over MI at Wankhede
Salt, Kohli and Patidar fuel RCB’s 18-run win over MI at Wankhede
RCB light up Mumbai with 240/4 as Salt, Kohli and Patidar explode; MI’s late rally falls short despite Rutherford’s 71* and a spirited chase.
Mumbai hosted a line-dusting, high-scoring IPL showdown at the Wankhede as Royal Challengers Bengaluru outgunned Mumbai Indians by 18 runs. RCB posted 240/4, a total MI could not reel in, despite a late counter from Sherfane Rutherford and a spirited chase that kept fans on the edge.
RCB’s innings was powered by a staggering 120-run opening stand and a flurry of big shots from Phil Salt, Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar. Salt blasted 78 off just 36 balls, tearing into MI’s array of bowlers and even cartwheeling Mitchell Santner for three consecutive sixes before his dismissal by Shardul Thakur. Kohli anchored the innings, bringing up his fifty off 37 balls and then taking a backseat as Patidar arrived and sprinted to a 17-ball fifty, continuing the carnage in the middle overs. Tim David chipped in with an unbeaten 34 late, pushing RCB to a daunting 240.
MI’s reply began with momentum but met a wall of discipline from RCB’s bowlers. Rohit Sharma retired hurt early, a blow that unsettled the chase, and the innings wrestled back and forth through the middle overs. Ryan Rickelton showed intent with 37 from 22, while Sherfane Rutherford carried the fight with an unbeaten 71, but regular wickets and a tight attack prevented a dramatic surge. Krunal Pandya’s tight spell and Suyash Sharma’s breakthroughs in the middle overs kept MI at bay for long enough, yet they finished on 222/5, short of the target.
The result reinforces the all-round strength of RCB’s top order this season, while MI will look to regroup after yet another tough outing at home. The clash highlighted the power of a strong start and the danger of a late-overs fightback, with Salt’s assault and Patidar’s quick-fire fifty setting the tone early and Kohli delivering the steadying hand when needed.
