The three-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians finally staged a comeback in the ongoing edition of the tournament. They defeated the Royal Challengers Bangalore quite comprehensively in Mumbai today. The victory margin by 46 runs also helped them improve on their net run rate. Mumbai had earlier lost the first 3 matches against Chennai, Hyderabad and the Delhi Daredevils.
Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma roared back to form with a blistering knock of 94 of 52 deliveries. It was instrumental in Mumbai posting a big total. After winning the toss, Virat Kohli put the hosts in. Mumbai lost the wickets of Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan in the very first two deliveries of the match. Paceman Umesh Yadav breached through their defence with two exceptional deliveries.
Photo by: Vipin Pawar / IPL/ SPORTZPICS
Also Read: IPL 2018: I Think Me Batting at Four Gives the Balance to The Side: Rohit Sharma
Rohit and Evin Lewis Helps Mumbai recover from the early setbacks
It was a brilliant partnership of 108 runs between skipper Rohit Sharma and opener Evin Lewis which helped Mumbai come back into the match. Lewis looked in good touch and smashed 6 fours and 5 gigantic. The southpaw eventually scored 65 of 42 deliveries. It was a late flurry by the younger of the Pandya brothers which propelled the hosts to a score of 213 in their allotted 20 overs.
However, Hardik’s unbeaten knock of 17 of 5 deliveries included quite a lot of drama. Hardik was adjudged caught behind in the very first delivery he faced of Chris Woakes. It was a good delivery which squared him up. Woakes, in particular, went up for the appeal and the on-field umpire had no hesitation in ruling the decision in favour of the bowling team.
The drama surrounding Pandya
However, Pandya was not happy with the decision and went for a review. The replays showed that the ultra-edge had a bit of murmur while the ball passed the bat. However, to everyone’s surprise, the decision was overturned and Pandya survived. Kohli was quite angry and went up to the umpires straightaway. He was involved in an animated chat with him. The umpire though reminded him that the decision was made by the 3rd umpire.
Pandya added insult to injury and smashed the next 4 deliveries for a couple of sixes and a four. The score of 213 proved way too much for Bangalore as they surrendered the match by 46 runs. RCB skipper Virat Kohli waged a lone battle and eventually remained unbeaten on 92.
Virat Kohli loses his cool at Umpire after bad decision https://t.co/OPSJXC2djx
— Faizal Khan (@faizalkhanm9) April 17, 2018
WICKET! Woakes gets Pollard & then thinks he has two in two but the caught behind decision against Hardik Pandya is overturned despite UltraEdge showing a murmur. Woakes & Kohli not happy.
Watch #MIvRCB on Sky Sports Cricket. Scorecard & updates: https://t.co/OSsdcvmUiS pic.twitter.com/gKTRfswYqR
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) April 17, 2018
Also Read: IPL 2018: I Don’t Really Want to Wear the Orange Cap Right Now – Virat Kohli
