Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) registered a thrilling 12-run win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 20 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday. Despite Hardik Pandya’s explosive cameo and Tilak Varma’s fighting fifty, RCB’s disciplined death bowling sealed the match in the final over.
After being asked to bat first by MI skipper Hardik Pandya, RCB posted a massive 221/5 in their 20 overs, thanks to blistering fifties from Virat Kohli (67 off 42) and Rajat Patidar (64 off 32). Kohli stitched crucial partnerships with Devdutt Padikkal (37 off 22) and Patidar, setting a strong platform. The finishing touches came from Jitesh Sharma, who remained unbeaten on 40 off 19 deliveries, striking four sixes to power RCB past the 220-mark.
RCB were off to a shaky start, losing Philip Salt in the second ball of the innings to Trent Boult. However, Kohli held the innings together and launched a counter-attack. Patidar’s quickfire knock and a late assault from Jitesh ensured RCB put up a daunting total on the board.
In reply, MI fell short despite a valiant effort. The hosts finished on 209/9, with Tilak Varma smashing 56 off 29 balls and Hardik Pandya blasting 42 off just 15. The pair added a 89-run partnership off just 34 balls, reviving Mumbai’s chase after they were 99/4 at one stage.
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Tilak batted with intent, hitting four boundaries and four sixes, while Pandya, promoted in the order, went after the RCB bowlers with authority, hammering three fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 280.
RCB’s Krunal Pandya was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4/45 in his four overs, including the key wickets of Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, and Naman Dhir in the death overs. Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal picked up two wickets each to further dent MI’s hopes.
Earlier, MI’s chase began with promise as Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton scored 17 runs each at brisk pace, but quick wickets put the hosts on the back foot. The middle order struggled to keep pace with the asking rate until Tilak and Pandya brought them back into contention. The match eventually slipped out of Mumbai’s hands in the final two overs. With 28 runs needed off the last 12 balls, Krunal struck thrice in the 20th over to ensure there would be no last-over heroics.
RCB is painting this IPL totally RED. Brilliant win 👏
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 7, 2025
The most underrated and unsung hero of Indian cricket has to be bhuvneshwar Kumar. So much to learn from his attitude towards the game & life .Puts his head down and does what the team requires from Him. #MIvsRCB
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) April 7, 2025
RCB in the past would’ve bottled this opportunity of winning the match, looks a different team this season. They have the bowling to Restrict any team.
Great game of cricket, well done to RCB.— Hanuma vihari (@Hanumavihari) April 7, 2025
What a game! So many subplots. Bumrah comeback, Hardik and Krunal, Tilak and Mahela. Box office stuff. Well played both @RCBTweets and @mipaltan, this is more like the IPL we know and love 👏🏻 #MIvRCB #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/9jwLsag5Su
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) April 7, 2025
