**25th IPL Encounter: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium**
The Mumbai Indians opted to field first after winning the coin toss.
**Teams:**
**Royal Challengers Bangalore (Playing XI):**
Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik (w), Mahipal Lomror, Reece Topley, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep
**Mumbai Indians (Playing XI):**
Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (w), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Mohammad Nabi, Shreyas Gopal, Jasprit Bumrah, Gerald Coetzee, Akash Madhwal
**Impact Substitutes for Both Teams:**
**Mumbai Indians Subs:**
Suryakumar Yadav, Dewald Brevis, Naman Dhir, Nehal Wadhera, Harvik Desai
**Royal Challengers Bangalore Subs:**
Suyash Prabhudessai, Saurav Chauhan, Swapnil Singh, Rajan Kumar, Karn Sharma
**FIRST INNING:**
Jasprit Bumrah immediately made an impact by claiming Virat Kohli’s wicket in his initial over. Despite the early loss of two wickets, RCB’s skipper, Faf du Plessis, alongside Rajat Patidar courageously steadied their team’s ship. They established an 82-run partnership, ensuring a stabilizing foundation for their team. Patidar impressed with a rapid 50 off 26 balls, featuring three boundaries and four sixes. Following the departure of Patidar and Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik lent considerable support, attempting to forge another strong partnership. Du Plessis himself contributed a significant 61 off 40 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes. Despite their efforts, Jasprit Bumrah thwarted RCB’s advances, ending with outstanding figures of 5 for 21. However, Karthik stood tall, leading the team to a respectable 196-8 with a brisk 53 from 23 balls, including five fours and four sixes.
**SECOND INNING:**
Mumbai’s opening batsmen, Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan, set off aggressively. They not only provided a solid start but also overwhelmed RCB’s bowling attack, crafting a 101-run partnership. Kishan dazzled with 69 runs from 34 balls, adorned with seven fours and five sixes. Sharma contributed a well-made 38 off 24 balls, studded with three fours and three sixes. Despite RCB missing crucial catches of Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav unleashed destructive shots, continuing the momentum for Mumbai and restricting RCB’s bowlers’ recovery time. Yadav blazed to a quick 52 from 19 balls, embellished with five fours and four sixes, propelling Mumbai Indians to achieve their target in just 15.3 overs.
Jasprit Bumrah was named the match’s most valuable player, securing the Purple Cap after his five-wicket haul, marking Mumbai Indians’ second victory of the season at their home ground. The Wankhede Stadium erupted as fans celebrated the mastery of Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Kishan, and Surya Kumar Yadav, witnessing a phenomenal display of power hitting. Following this triumph, Mumbai Indians climbed to the 7th spot in the points table.
For the Royal Challengers Bangalore, it was their fourth straight loss, reflecting missed opportunities and a lack of effective strategies against Mumbai’s batsmen. Today, the absence of Kohli’s bat was keenly felt. Despite significant contributions from Du Plessis, Patidar, and Karthik, RCB’s bowlers struggled, indicating a pressing need for refinement in their bowling strategy.