Phil Salt was sensational in the first half — and not just in the PowerPlay. Rajat Patidar was potent with his power-hitting in the middle overs. And Tim David was devastating at the death.
The trio’s exploits not only helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru pile on a gargantuan total but also take the chase out of the equation against the five-time champion Mumbai Indians’s reach to marquee Indian Premier League clash at the Wankhede Stadium.
Riding on a whirlwind batting display through the innings — despite Virat Kohli’s relatively measured 38-ball 50 — RCB lived up to its billing as defending champion to post 240 for four, the second-highest total of the season.
Once veteran Rohit Sharma had to retire hurt due to a hamstring issue after five overs into the chase, MI wilted under pressure against an accurate bowling attack. Krunal Pandya’s uncanny left-arm spin stifled the MI.
Had it not been for Sherfane Rutherford’s impact as a sub in a lost cause, the margin of defeat – and the net run rate damage as a result – would have been much higher than 18 runs.
While Rohit didn’t return to bat, Kohli also remained off the field for the second half after hurting his ankle during an anchor-like innings.
Despite Kohli’s knock, RCB was too hot to handle in the first innings. While David finished with a towering six off Trent Boult over deep midwicket, Salt had begun in similar fashion against the Kiwi pacer.
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But Salt truly came into his elements against the spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Mayank Markande. Salt welcomed Santner in the fourth over with three clean hits over the fence followed by a boundary. Once the PowerPlay ended, Markande, the leg-spinner, was taken to task with three crisp fours and a towering six, as Salt’s assault gathered pace.
Shardul Thakur’s golden arm broke the 120-run partnership in the 11th over, but captain Patidar arrived with purpose. From the moment he tonked his first ball over mid-off for four, Patidar was precise and powerful, keeping the momentum intact.
Jasprit Bumrah’s probing spell — despite going wicketless for the fourth consecutive game — applied the brakes as RCB had to settle for 53 runs in the last five overs. The damage up front, however, was enough for RCB to return to winning ways.
Published on Apr 12, 2026
