Mumbai Indians came back to winning ways as they won their 2nd encounter against the Royal Challengers Bangalore by 6 runs courtesy some exceptional death bowling by Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga. Earlier in the day, it was a good knock from Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya which took the total to 187. Eventually, RCB fell 6 runs short of the target.
It was hosts skipper Virat Kohli who won the toss and opted to field as one would expect in Chinnaswamy Stadium. Mumbai Indians openers Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock started off proceedings and began exceedingly well. The skipper, in particular, looked in ominous touch and started off by smashing a few lusty blows.
Following Rohit’s onslaught, it was Quinton de Kock who came into the act and smashed a couple of fours and six before he was dismissed by Yuzvendra Chahal. Rohit kept the good work going along with Suryakumar Yadav. However, he was dismissed just a couple of runs short of a well-deserved half-century.
It was veteran batsman Yuvraj Singh who rolled back the years with some exceptional hitting. He smashed Yuzvendra Chahal for 3 consecutive sixes and the 6 sixes would definitely come at the back of his mind. He wanted to prove a point and show the whole world that he is still capable of clearing ropes with utmost ease.
In an attempt to smash his 4th six he was holed out in the deep and it was Mohammad Siraj who completed a terrific catch. After his wicket, there was a cluster of wickets in the middle overs as RCB roared back into the match. From 124/2, Mumbai Indians slid to 147/7 and it was only a Hardik Pandya special which propelled them to a score of 187 runs in their allotted 20 overs.
The all-rounder looked in sublime touch and smashed 2 fours and 3 sixes during his brief stay in the innings. One of the flick shots went outside the stadium and landed on the roof. It was a great effort by Pandya but with a great batting line-up, RCB would have backed themselves to chase the total down.
Virat Kohli made Moeen Ali open the innings with Virat Kohli as he demoted himself to No 3. RCB got off to a flying start as the opening duo shared a 27 runs stand in 3 overs. It was a terrific display of fielding by Rohit Sharma which sent Moeen Ali back to the pavilion.
Virat Kohli started off brilliantly and stroked the ball to perfection. Parthiv Patel, on the other hand, was deceived by a beauty from Mayank Markande. AB de Villiers came out to the crease to join Kohli.
Kohli looked in great touch and was dismissed by a great delivery from Jasprit Bumrah. Despite his wicket, AB de Villiers kept RCB in the game with some exceptional hitting. He smashed the Mumbai Indians bowlers all around the park during his magical knock of 70 of 41 deliveries which were studded with 4 fours and 6 sixes.
Photo by: Prashant Bhoot /SPORTZPICS for BCCI
However, it was Jasprit Bumrah’s exceptional 19th over which got Mumbai Indians back into the game. He conceded just 4 runs which made the equation difficult for Bangalore. With 17 required of the last over, Shivam Dube struck a six off Lasith Malinga in the very first ball which titled the match in RCB’s favour.
However, Lasith Malinga came back strongly in the last few deliveries as Mumbai Indians defended the 11 runs in the last 5 deliveries. However, there was an unfortunate error from the umpire in the last delivery as Malinga bowled a no-ball but no call was made. Virat Kohli was livid in the post-match presentation and said that they were not playing club level cricket.
Now here is what Man of the Match Jasprit Bumrah said at the post-match presentation
You go ball by ball and you try to control the controllables. You try to back yourself in the situation. You don’t go too far behind, I was just focussing on my plan and trying to back my strengths. I always try to back myself in any situation and execute the plan to perfection. I have always taken care of my body.