IPL 2018: Match 14, MI vs RCB, Review- Mumbai break losing-streak despite Virat Kohli show

Mumbai Indians (MI) had an abysmal campaign in the first three games having lost all of them. More importantly, they served the matches on a platter to the opposition from a position of strength. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) their opponents today haven’t had an overly overwhelming tournament either. On a batsman’s paradise at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, both teams wished to register a triumph.

To the sigh of Mumbai, the home team put forth some clinical performances and eventually won their maiden game of the tournament by 46 runs. Their batsmen blazed away to post a colossal score on the board. The bowlers followed it up by restricting the RCB batsmen, barring Virat Kohli, who entertained one and all. The pitch was expected to help the batsmen and a long day was in store for the bowlers.

Rohit and Lewis annihilates the visitors after Umesh magic

Quite expectantly, Virat had no hesitation to field first and rightly so, bearing in mind the records by the chasing team at the venue and the impact dew was speculated to have in the latter half of the game. However, the decision initially backfired as Umesh Yadav commenced proceeding with a couple of beauties, which cannoned into the stumps of Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan.

Rohit Sharma and Evin Lewis had an uphill task ahead of them to take the home team out of the slump and they nailed it to perfection. The stand notched 108 runs off 66 balls, which undid the impressive start for the Challengers. Lewis showed excellent form Delhi Daredevils and he replicated the same against Kohli’s men with a knock of 65 runs, which was carved with six boundaries and five sixes.

On the other hand, Rohit found his rhythm and effortlessly found the boundaries. After three lacklustre knocks, the skipper made a stupendous comeback and piled 94 runs. He tantalizingly missed out on the century when he was dismissed in the penultimate delivery by Corey Anderson. Hardik Pandya’s late blitz ensured that Mumbai breach the 200-run barrier without dropping much sweat.

From Bangalore’s perspective, they had pretty little to cheer after Yadav’s initial wickets. Mohammed Siraj, who replaced Kulwant Khejroliya, turned out to be the most economical bowler for the Challengers. Yuzvendra Chahal, their prime spinner, had another mediocre day and returned wicket-less. Apart from Umesh, Corey Anderson picked a couple of wickets but went at nearly 12 runs per over.

Kohli marches on amidst dismal RCB batting

RCB needed some herculean efforts from their top order to make a match out of it. However, they had the firepower to trace down the target. Virat Kohli promoted himself to the top of the order and had Quinton de Kock as his partner. The duo started brilliantly and peppered the boundaries frequently enough, but Mitchell McClenaghan castled de Kock and drew first blood for Mumbai Indians.

The over by the Kiwi turned from bad to worse for the Royal Challengers as a pull shot by AB de Villiers traced into the hands of Hardik Pandya at deep mid-wicket. With the fall of that wicket, it was evident that the onus was on Kohli to shepherd the team. Mandeep Singh was starting to look good but unfortunately perished to Krunal Pandya. The left-arm spinner got rid of Corey Anderson in the very next ball.

Washington Sundar became Krunal’s third victim and Sarfaraz perished thereafter, which made Mumbai the firm favourites in the game. Meanwhile, Virat was in a different zone as he notched a well-compiled half-century in 41 balls. His sheer presence was enough to make the crowd believe that the Challengers still had an opportunity to get a foothold in the game.

The Indian skipper tried his heart out, scored 92 hard-earned runs and played till the very end. Unfortunately, the target was too daunting for even the class of Kohli to trace down. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians would be hoping for Ishan Kishan to recover from the nasty blow he suffered in the face owing to a throw by Hardik Pandya which bounced awkwardly from the ground.

Brief Scores

Mumbai Indians: 213/6 in 20 overs; Rohit Sharma 94, Evin Lewis 65; Umesh Yadav 2/36, Corey Anderson 2/47

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli 92*, Quinton de Kock 19; Krunal Pandya 3/28, Jasprit Bumrah 2/28

Mumbai Indians beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 46 runs

Player of the Match: Rohit Sharma