Royal Challengers Bengaluru registered a comfortable 18-run win at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, April 12, against the Mumbai Indians.
Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bowl first. However, the visitors threw the first punch with Phil Salt and Virat Kohli's scintillating 120-run partnership off 65 balls. The former scored 78 off 36 balls, while the latter played second fiddle and finished with 50 off 38 balls.
Rajat Patidar played a blinder of a knock as his 17-ball half-century lit up the
Wankhede Stadium and even the Mumbai Indians' fans had to applaud the batting masterclass from the Bengaluru skipper. Tim David also played a fine cameo as the touring side finished on 240/4 in their 20 overs.
In reply, Mumbai Indians started well, with Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton taking the attack to the opposition bowlers. However, Rohit had to leave the field with a hamstring issue and this turned out to be a problem for Mumbai.
Suryakumar Yadav joined Rickelton in the middle but their partnership yielded only 15 runs off 11 balls. Suyash Sharma struck twice in the eighth over to send Rickelton and Tilak Varma back to the hut. Suryakumar was eventually dismissed for 33 off 22 balls in the 13th over.
Hardik Pandya scored 40 off 22 balls and gave the home fans some hope but Jacob Duffy ended his stay at the crease in the 15th over. Sherfane Rutherford single-handedly tried to take his team to an improbable win. However, Mumbai Indians needed runs from both ends, which they didn't get. In the end, Rutherford finished unbeaten on 71 off 31 balls as Mumbai lost by 18 runs.
Talking Points
Phil Salt - Form is temporary, class is permanent
There were a few concerns regarding Phil Salt's form at the top of the order. He didn't have a great T20 World Cup performance with the bat and in the first three games, he only contributed 54 runs. Some fans and experts were wondering whether it's time to bring Jacob Bethell into the side in place of Salt. However, the RCB management backed the England wicketkeeper and it paid dividends. Salt amassed 78 off just 36 balls, hitting six fours and six sixes. The tourists never really looked back after the opening stand.
Jasprit Bumrah goes wicketless for the fourth consecutive game
Jasprit Bumrah has been economical, but Mumbai Indians would love to see their talismanic pacer getting among the wickets. The experienced campaigner has played four matches this season but the wickets column still remains empty. The five-time champions are missing a bowler who would get them wickets, either with the new ball or through the middle overs.
Rajat Patidar continues purple patch
What a tournament Rajat Patidar has been having. The RCB skipper led from the front last season and continues to do so in 2026. The 32-year-old promoted himself to No. 3 to continue from where Salt had left. He did them with aplomb, scoring 44 off the first 11 balls he faced. Eventually, the right-handed batter scored 53 off 20 balls, with the help of four fours and five sixes to help RCB dominate through the middle overs.
Who said what
Hardik Pandya, Mumbai Indians captain:
Yes (lost too many wickets) and at the same point of time, I think we conceded way too many (runs) as well. I think that was always going to be catch-up. I think in the last couple of games, as a bowling unit or even as a batting unit, we’ve been catching up in the game rather than leading the game. We really need to reflect, really need to see what best we can do and how we can get that momentum and that click which we require. We have a couple of days off from here and we will play again. To be very honest, now a lot of things need to be rethought. Definitely, it’s not working. A couple of games we have won the toss, but maybe we need to see what other options we have as a batting group or bowling group. Looking at the kind of wicket it’s playing, if we can bat well, that would be good. We still need to play good cricket, we need to bat well, we need to bowl well. If we do that, then irrespective of the toss, we will be fine. That’s what we are planning and talking about, how do we get some momentum in the powerplay. Because if you see, in both batting and bowling, we are kind of trying to catch up in the powerplay. As you said, a lot of options will be asked and explored. We will see what we can do in the next game. When we got him (Rutherford), it was always exciting for us. We always knew the kind of potential and the kind of power he has. The way he batted gives us extra cushion and at the same time confidence that if we want to make some changes or see what the team requires, we can definitely do that because of the way he’s batting.
Rajat Patidar, Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain:
I think, you know, whenever we come here in Mumbai, especially at this ground, the atmosphere, the fans, and playing along with them and playing in a full-packed stadium - that's a different feeling. It was, I would say it's a more clarity about every individual, I would say (on the strong batting). And the way Virat Bhai and Salt started the innings, I think that kept us in the driving seat. Then a good cameo by me and Tim (David), I think that was a pure team effort. To be honest, people used to say that I love playing spin, but if someone asks me, I would say I love playing pace. And playing pace on this track, I think it's a very good track to play a fast bowler. So I think I love (facing) fast bowling. I don't know yet, but I think he, I feel that he's okay right now (on Virat Kohli).
Phil Salt, Player of the Match:
Honestly, I've got no idea myself. There are a few highs and a lot of lows, and you can't ride both of them. Just stay as even as you can, and I'm just pleased I could come out and put a performance in for the lads. Yes, I'd say so (on his batting philosophy). Some of these grounds aren't the most bowler-friendly, so you've got to keep the mentality that you're going to keep going at the opposition. And then not forget your assets as a player. It's about being a match-winner, isn't it? I know I can't get runs every game, nobody can. But if I can be as impactful as possible, then I'm on the right path. Really well (on RCB's batting). And to be honest, we probably had a few more in the tank. I think, you know, in the second ten of our innings, they actually shut us down quite nicely at times. So, you know, promising signs for us as a batting unit. I think they bowled well then.
