Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) got off to a fantastic start at the Wankhede Stadium against hosts Mumbai Indians (MI). The highest order of the Red and Gold brigade was delivered against the star-studded bowling unit of Mumbai Indians.
Virat Kohli was going strong and looked promising enough to score another T20 century. Kohli was visibly frustrated when he lost his wicket to a Hardik Pandya full toss. Frustrated, the batter threw his gloves and helmet to the ground.
Virat Kohli sacked after ensuring solid spell for Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs MI
Virat Kohli was dismissed for 50 off 38 with five 4s and a 6. MI got their second wicket of the night. After 14.4 overs, RCB were at 185 for just 2 wickets.
The innings that Virat Kohli played along with his opening partner Phil Salt, set the stage for the team to secure a mammoth total against the Mumbai Indians. In recent months, the iconic venue has witnessed multiple high-scoring matches in both international and franchise leagues. As both RCB and MI have multiple explosive batsmen in their lineup, a lot of runs were expected before the match.
Initial partnership between Phil Salt and Virat Kohli set the tone for Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Within the 11th over of the first innings, RCB’s opening pair stitched a 120-run partnership. Phil Salt played a stormy knock of 78 off 36 balls, and Virat made 50. The team’s number 3, Rajat Patidar, also registered a half-century in the process. The in-form batsman played faster. The RCB leader’s 53-run knock came from just 20 balls, which were decorated with four 4s and five 6s and a strike rate of 265.0.
Later, Tim David’s explosive came off 16 balls, securing Royal Challengers Bengaluru on a mountaintop. David was not out for 34 runs, smashing a pair of 4s and three 6s.
Batting first after losing the toss, RCB claimed 240 runs in 20 overs in return for 4 wickets.
Highest totals for RCB in IPL
263/5 vs. PWI, Bengaluru, 2013
262/7 v SRH, Bengaluru, 2024
250/3 against CSK, Bengaluru, 2026
248/3 v GL, Bengaluru, 2016
241/7 v PBKS, Dharamsala, 2024
240/4 v MI, Wankhede, 2026*
Mumbai Indians need to score 241 runs to win the match over RCB
After the end of the first inning, he was not in the lead to win the match. Mumbai Indians will have to score 241 runs in 1 ball to beat the winners of the IPL 2025 season.
MI, one of the most successful teams in the league with 5 IPL titles, have the firepower in their batting line-up but will they be able to match the requested run rate in the second innings? The result of the match will give the answer.
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