Rohit Sharma’s 94 set up the Mumbai Indians’ first win of the season despite a lone fight from Virat Kohli (92), as they beat the Royal Challengers Bangalore by 46 runs in Mumbai on Tuesday.
The Mumbai Indians welcomed the Royal Challengers Bangalore to the Wankhede Stadium with the hosts in desperate need of a first win of their title-defence campaign.
Umesh Yadav (2-36) put RCB on the front foot instantly, taking a double off the first two balls of the game.
Evin Lewis struck 65 off 42 balls, which included six fours and five sixes, to bring his side back into the match.
MI captain Sharma added to Kohli’s misery by smashing 94 off 53 balls, with 10 fours and five sixes.
Sharma’s captain’s knock helped the Mumbai side post 213-6 in their 20 overs, after being put in to bat first.
Kohli took up a new role as opener with a 214-run target in sight, but Mitchell McClenaghan dismissed South African duo Quinton de Kock and AB de Villiers in his second over, to rock RCB’s foundation in the fifth over.
RCB needed a dominant blast from their skipper and despite Kohli aggressively obliging, his fellow batsmen collapsed around him.
Krunal Pandya (3-28) found exquisite turn and bounce, picking up three wickets in two overs, as RCB lost five wickets for 86 runs midway through the 12th over.
Kohli’s 62-ball 92 included seven fours and four sixes as his side were reduced to 167-8 in 20 overs.
The Mumbai Indians picked up their first win of the campaign by 46 runs.
Photo: IPL website/BCCI
