In what has become a year of jinx-breaking feats, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured a historic win over Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium — their first in a decade. This followed their earlier triumph against Chennai Super Kings at the Chepauk, ending a 17-year drought at that venue.
Despite posting a formidable total of 221, RCB’s victory was anything but comfortable. Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma mounted a fierce counterattack, stitching together a rapid 89-run partnership off just 34 balls after MI were 99 for 4 in 12 overs. With the equation down to 41 runs needed off the final three overs, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Krunal Pandya delivered a clinical bowling display to shut the door on MI’s chase.
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Kohli Turns Back the Clock, Bowlers Seal the Deal for RCB
Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli smashed brisk half-centuries before a late flourish from Jitesh Sharma powered Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a commanding 221, despite Jasprit Bumrah’s return and three tight overs from Hardik Pandya. Kohli registered his fastest T20 fifty since 2019 and his quickest in the IPL since 2018, reaching the milestone in under 30 balls. His aggressive start gave Patidar the breathing space to settle in before he unleashed an assault on Hardik, who had otherwise kept the batters in check.
While the target was far from out of reach for Mumbai Indians, a disciplined opening burst from Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma — conceding just 21 runs in their first five overs — reduced MI’s win probability to a mere 2.25% by the end of the 12th over, according to ESPNcricinfo’s forecaster. A fiery 42 off 15 from Hardik and Tilak Varma’s 56 off 29 rekindled hopes, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hazlewood held their nerve with pinpoint yorkers in the 18th and 19th overs. That left Krunal Pandya with 18 to defend in the final over, which he did expertly, sealing a 12-run win and handing his brother’s side a second consecutive defeat.
Kohli, Padikkal Counter Early Blow with Fearless Batting Display
For the 31st time in his IPL career, Trent Boult made an early impact by picking up a wicket in the very first over. However, Devdutt Padikkal responded with authority, driving his first ball to the boundary. That aggressive intent set the tone, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru surged to 73 runs in the powerplay.
Virat Kohli, typically known for anchoring the innings, flipped the script by smashing 36 off just 19 balls during the powerplay, while Padikkal added a blistering 32 off 15. Kohli didn’t relent against spin either — unleashing slog sweeps in the seventh and ninth overs — to bring up his half-century in just 29 balls, continuing his vintage form with a fearless approach.
Hardik’s Tactical Spell Shifts Momentum in Middle Overs
After Vignesh Puthur’s left-arm wrist spin ended Devdutt Padikkal’s fluent knock of 37 off 22, it was Hardik Pandya’s clever use of wide lines that applied the brakes on RCB’s scoring. While Virat Kohli continued swinging for the fences, his aggression allowed Rajat Patidar the space to settle in cautiously, beginning with a slow 8 off 10 deliveries.
Patidar soon found his rhythm, cleverly manipulating the field to take on Hardik and later dismantling Mitchell Santner’s figures with 20 runs in his final over. Just when RCB seemed to be regaining control, Hardik turned the tables once more — his persistence with wide deliveries paid off as he removed both Kohli and Liam Livingstone in the same over, reducing RCB to 144 for 5 with 33 balls still remaining.
Patidar and Jitesh Finish Strong Despite Bumrah’s Late Overs
With Jasprit Bumrah set to bowl two of the final five overs on his return from a back injury, Royal Challengers Bengaluru knew they had to target the bowlers at the other end — and they did it to perfection. Rajat Patidar took the attack to Hardik Pandya, smashing 33 off just 12 balls to dent the all-rounder’s figures, which ballooned to 4-0-45-2.
Jitesh Sharma then joined the assault, hammering 24 runs off just eight deliveries against Trent Boult, handing the seasoned pacer his most expensive T20 spell ever — 4-0-57-2. Although Bumrah kept things tight at the death, conceding just 14 runs across the 18th and 20th overs, RCB had already inflicted significant damage to post a commanding total.
Hazlewood, Suyash Put RCB Firmly in Control Early On
RCB’s confidence was only strengthened as Josh Hazlewood’s disciplined lengths and Suyash Sharma’s deceptive action rattled the Mumbai Indians’ top order. Hazlewood removed Ryan Rickelton early, aided by a sharp DRS call from Jitesh Sharma, and gave away just two runs in the final over of the powerplay.
Suryakumar Yadav found himself under pressure, struggling to 8 off 13 balls after facing tight overs from both Hazlewood and Suyash. Adding to MI’s woes, Suryakumar was dropped twice, and his partnership with Will Jacks produced only 41 runs across six overs. By the time Suryakumar was finally dismissed at the end of the 12th over, MI were left needing what would have been the second-highest successful chase in the final eight overs of an IPL match — a mountain too steep to climb.
Thriller at the Death: Krunal Holds Nerve as RCB Survive Hardik-Tilak Scare
In a tense and dramatic finale, Mumbai Indians nearly pulled off a stunning heist, thanks to a breathtaking counterattack from Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya. Tilak, who had been controversially retired out in the previous game, kept Hardik off strike for seven crucial deliveries — but made those count by smashing 17 runs off Suyash Sharma’s final over, mirroring Rajat Patidar’s earlier assault on Santner and Hardik.
When Hardik finally got on strike, he ignited the Wankhede with an explosive display — two sixes and two fours off Hazlewood, followed by two more sixes off brother Krunal Pandya — flipping the match on its head in just seven balls. With Hardik storming to 32 off 7 deliveries, the required equation came down to 71 off 33.
Despite some attempts to disrupt his rhythm, the MI skipper kept the scoreboard ticking. Tilak added a six and a four off Bhuvneshwar Kumar to take 13 from the 17th over. Although Yash Dayal escaped with clever slower deliveries, a late six kept MI in the hunt.
Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar tightened things up with yorkers in the death overs, though MI still managed boundaries — a Hardik four, a towering six from Naman Dhir, and a low full toss that Mitchell Santner dispatched over the ropes.
With 19 required from the final over, Krunal Pandya stepped up under pressure. He held his nerve brilliantly, conceding just seven runs and removing both Santner and Deepak Chahar with catches near the rope. His figures of 4-0-45-4 marked his best IPL return, sealing a pulsating 12-run win for RCB in a contest that had swung wildly till the very end.
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FAQs
When did RCB last defeat MI at the Wankhede before this win?
RCB last beat Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in 2015, ending a 10-year winless streak in 2025.
What was Virat Kohli’s notable record in this match?
Virat Kohli scored his fastest T20 fifty since 2019 and his first IPL fifty under 30 balls since 2018.
How did RCB manage to post 221 despite Bumrah’s tight overs?
Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma scored aggressively at the other end, targeting Hardik Pandya and Trent Boult to offset Bumrah’s tight spells.
Who were RCB’s standout bowlers in the powerplay?
Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma kept MI quiet early, conceding just 21 runs in their first five overs combined.
How did Krunal Pandya impact the match in the final over?
Krunal Pandya bowled a brilliant last over, defending 19 runs and finishing with his best IPL figures of 4-0-45-4.
