Slowly but steadily Mumbai Indians are reinventing the mojo that has helped them clinch five IPL titles.
On Thursday, they recorded their second back-to-back victory following three consecutive losses at the start of their 2024 campaign. In what was billed as a contest between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah stole the limelight with a convincing five-wicket haul before the Mumbai Indians top order clicked to pull off a seven-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Wankhede.
More than the win, what was more assuring was the return to form for the likes of Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav. While Kishan scored 69 off 34 balls to forge a 101-run opening stand with Rohit Sharma, Surya joined the party with an entertaining 52 off 19 balls.
When Surya departed, Mumbai needed 17 off 38 balls and captain Hardik Pandya hit the winning runs with a six off Akash Deep with 27 balls left.
Their combined effort eclipsed Dinesh Karthik’s effort which helped RCB reach 196/8.
Finisher Karthik blasted an unbeaten 53 off 23 balls, which included five boundaries and four sixes. As the RCB middle and late-order struggled, Karthik’s anticipation, timing and shot selection left the Mumbai Indians bowlers, including Bumrah, dazed.
It was mainly because of Karthik that RCB managed to put up a challenging total, which included a stunning flat six off Bumrah’s last delivery of the match.
RCB scored 66 in the last five overs, courtesy Karthik. Skipper Faf du Plessis (61) and Rajat Patidar (50) made useful contributions but Karthik’s cameo stood out.
Bumrah’s 5/21 put the skids on the RCB batters temporarily until Karthik broke free. In his first over, he removed Virat Kohli.
In his next spell, Faf du Plessis and Mahipal Lomror were dismissed off consecutive deliveries. The fast bowler completed his five-wicket haul with back-to-back wickets again in his final over.
The much-anticipated duel between Kohli and Bumrah didn’t last long as the pacer forced the RCB opener to nick behind.
In his first over, Bumrah gave away four runs and dismissed Kohli for 3 off nine balls. Kohli survived only three balls against Bumrah.
Kohli had backed away to his first ball and could only drag it to mid wicket. The next ball, an inswinger, beat Kohli as it dipped onto his pads.
The story was almost repeated in the next ball, only this time his wild swing at a
delivery on the off stump resulted in a nick to Ishan Kishan who dived to his left and held onto it.
