Mumbai Indians defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Wankhede in match number 14 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018. The hosts, who lit their previous three matches of the season, decimated Virat Kohli’s side by 46 runs after riding on a supreme 94 by Rohit Sharma.
MI scored a mammoth 213/6 in 20 overs and in pursuit of the chase, RCB faltered badly, losing wickets at regular intervals. They eventually managed 167/8 in 20 overs with skipper Kohli being the lone warrior in the RCB innings scoring an unbeaten 92.
Evin's onslaught, Mitch's initial breakthroughs, Krunal's smart bowling and of course, Rohit's superb innings. A collective effort hands us our first win of the season – https://t.co/pwyf55Arto#CricketMeriJaan #MIvRCB #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/rq0galIPCz
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 17, 2018
Both Mumbai and Bangalore have one win in their four matches so far in IPL 2018.
STATS ATTACK – MI vs. RCB
- This was the fifth successive time MI have gone on to beat RCB.
- The meet in Mumbai also saw the hosts take a 5-3 margin at MI’s home ground.
- Meanwhile, Virat Kohli’s love for Wankhede grew prominence after he smashed an unbeaten 92 runs.
Kohli sizzles but others falter
The Indian skipper was the only person who gave a fight for his side. An unbeaten 92 runs helped Kohli bag the Orange Cap at the moment which in turn will give him loads of confidence. Kohli’s inning was blended with seven fours and four sixes.
As he continued his supremacy at the Wankhede with another blistering knock, the rest 0f RCB’s famed line-up fell away like a pack of cards. Losing six wickets for just 106 runs did not do the side any world of good in pursuit of a mega total. That, in turn, must have hurt the RCB skipper, who played well and ran out of partners in the end.
The 92 runs helped Kohli achieve 201 runs and stay 23 runs ahead of 2nd placed Sanju Samson. What was very vital in the innings was his desire to not allow RCB not to fall way below the net-run-rate. That showed how intelligent Kohli is.
Krunal Pandya (3/28) was the pick of the bowlers for MI that actually dented RCB’s hopes. Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell McClenaghan picked four wickets amongst themselves.
Classy Rohit Sharma
MI finally breathed relief after seeing their skipper come to form in a whirlwind 94 runs. MI till then had lost three matches that were nail-biters. The innings from Rohit was due and it came at the right time for MI as they notched their maiden victory.
Rohit’s 94 came off just 52 deliveries as he got MI not only to safety but also help them get a mammoth score. Alongside Evin Lewis, Rohit batted positively and kept the RCB bowlers at bay. The experienced campaigner noted his positioning in the line-up crucial.
The player stated in the post-match conference that batting at number four gives him the balance to go loud. “I think me batting at 4 gives the balance to the side and gives the new guys the freedom to bat at the top. It is important to finish off games.”
The key moment of the day
Umesh Yadav started the proceedings for RCB with two wickets in first two balls of the match. Mumbai Indians was faltering badly at 0/2 but the partnership 0f 108 runs between Evin Lewis (68) and Rohit Sharma (94) changed the course of the match. The star-studded duo did not allow any of RCB bowlers to settle down after Umesh Yadav’s heroics upfront.
Lewis continued his good form in IPL 2018 and made sure he had a say to help MI get a commendable score. The highlight of the partnership was the runs came in just 11.2 overs with both batsmen leaving no stones unturned. That helped MI lay the foundation to get big runs which they did eventually. This, in turn, was our pick as the key moment of the day.