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In the IPL 2026 match against Mumbai Indians (MI), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerged victorious by 18 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
After securing a dominating win, RCB`s skipper Rajat Patidar said, “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)”.
On the other hand, MI`s captain Hardik Pandya said, “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’ll 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’ll 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’ll 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”.
IPL 2026, Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Second innings` summary
In an attempt to chase a target of 241 runs, the “Paltan” managed to score 222 runs for the loss of five wickets in 20 overs.
MI`s wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Rickelton scored 37 runs in 22 balls, including three boundaries and the same number of maximums. Fellow opening batsman Rohit Sharma registered 19 runs in 13 balls, with the help of two boundaries and a maximum before retiring out.
Suryakumar Yadav departed after scoring 33 runs off 22 balls, laced with five boundaries. Tilak Varma returned to the pavilion on the score of one run in three balls. Skipper Hardik Pandya smashed 40 runs in 22 balls, with the help of six boundaries and a maximum.
Naman Dhir also scored one run in two balls. Impact Player, Sherfane Rutherford delivered a stunning knock of an unbeaten 71 runs off just 31 deliveries, laced with a boundary and nine maximums. Mitchell Santner, too, stayed unbeaten and scored eight runs in six balls, including a boundary.
RCB`s Suyash Sharma returned with the figures of two wickets for 47 runs in four overs. Jacob Duffy, Krunal Pandya, and Impact Player, Rasikh Salam, bagged one wicket each. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Romario Shepherd went wicketless in the IPL 2026 match against MI.
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