Mumbai: Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, the Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Chasing 241, MI’s innings faltered after a promising start. Rohit Sharma, struggling with a hamstring issue, retired hurt on 19, leaving Ryan Rickelton (37) and Suryakumar Yadav (33) to shoulder the responsibility. Hardik Pandya contributed a brisk 40, but the turning point came in the eighth over when RCB’s young spinner Suyash Sharma struck twice in quick succession, derailing MI’s chase.
Despite the setbacks, Sherfane Rutherford kept MI’s hopes alive with a sensational unbeaten 71 off 31 balls, showcasing power and resilience. However, the mounting required run rate proved too steep, and MI eventually finished at 222 for 5, falling short by 18 runs.
The match highlighted RCB’s batting depth, with three half-centurions leading the charge, and their ability to defend a big total under pressure. For MI, Rutherford’s knock was a silver lining, but the loss of Rohit and the lack of sustained partnerships hurt their chances.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
