MI VS RCB T20S

Right then, Mumbai have dominatingly decimated Bengaluru at Wankhede and registered their second win of the season, having a lot of positives at their helm. Bengaluru needs some serious introspection now as their season has gotten more precarious even before halfway with this fifth defeat. But the action in the Indian T20 League 2024 continues on 12th April, Friday, when Lucknow takes on Delhi. That match will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the game. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Jasprit Bumrah is the Player of the Match for his exceptional bowling spell. He begins by saying that he is very happy with the outcome and says that the wicket was sticky for the first ten overs. It was just one of those days where everything went correctly for him. He adds that there would be days when plans won't go as he wants them to and that he prepares accordingly. Further states the T20 bowling is tough and you will take a beating as well on off days. Says that nowadays you can't hope for success but coming well-prepared holds the key. He further says there's no ego in this sport and he does not want to be a one-trick pony and rely just on the yorkers and tries to execute other variations as well. Ends up by saying that everyone in the camp is happy.

The Mumbai skipper, Hardik Pandya is up for a quick chat. He says that it is a wonderful feeling and it is always good to win. Mentions that the manner of the victory was good and it helps to have the extra bowler with the Impact Player. States that the platform was set with the way Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan batted. Adds that the aim then was to finish the game early. States that he is lucky and blessed to have a bowler like Jasprit Bumrah in the side. Further says that Bumrah practices a lot and his experience and confidence help. Tells it is always good to have Suryakumar Yadav and it is tough for the opposition captain to set the field against him. Ends by saying that he has always been a fan of adapting to situations.

The Presentation Ceremony...

Suryakumar Yadav is up for a quick chat for his sensational 52 off just 19 deliveries. He says that it's always good to be back at Wankhede and join the boys. He says he was physically recovering at the NCA but was mentally with them always. He says Ishan and Rohit created a strong foundation to the chase and adds that with dew settling in and them being in a stronger position at the halfway, it was all about playing to boost the net run rate. He states the management has told them to be aggressive and on being asked about Jasprit Bumrah's performance, he says it's a luxury to have such a bowler in the side. Jokingly says that he doesn't face Bumrah in the nets as he either breaks his bat or aims his boots with the pace.

The captain of Bengaluru, Faf du Plessis says that it is a very tough pill to swallow. Mentions that the dew was a big factor. Jokingly says that if he wins the toss somehow in the next few games, who knows, things might change. Credits Mumbai for the way they played and says that his side just did not get enough runs. Tells that it was very tough with the dew settling in. Adds that they tried everything, but nothing worked. Shares that they fought with the bat and not losing wickets at regular intervals were one of the positives for them. Feels that Jasprit Bumrah was the difference, and as a batter, you want to put pressure on him. Further adds that he is so clever with his variations and has so many options. Reckons that they need to push for 220 to have any chance since they do not have too many weapons in the bowling department.

Earlier in the game, Mumbai inserted Bengaluru to bat first. Despite losing Virat Kohli earlier, Faf du Plessis and Rajat Patidar struck a brilliant partnership and kept the scoreboard ticking with timely boundaries. After a flurry of wickets in the mid-overs, courtesy of Jasprit Bumrah's sensational 5-wicket haul, Dinesh Karthik batted against all the odds and ensured that Bengaluru finished on a high with his exceptional 50. In their defense, Bengaluru bowlers were all over the place and leaked runs right, left, and center. With Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav notching up quick fifties along with valuable contributions from Rohit Sharma and Hardik as anchors, Mumbai sailed through the winning line way early.

Bengaluru had enough runs on the board, but once more, they found themselves grappling with their bowling performance, as their ongoing struggle with conceding runs persisted. Despite Reece Topley initially finding some movement off the pitch, they struggled to contain the Mumbai batters. Mohammed Siraj, in particular, continued to struggle with expensive spells, bowling on predictable lines and lengths. But not only him, Glenn Maxwell and Vyshak too, were expensive and wayward in their lines and lengths. Akash Deep struck first for them as he dismissed Ishan Kishan, but they certainly failed to control the damage wreaked by the openers. Will Jacks got rid of Rohit but they just couldn't recover from the onslaught truly. Despite having a decently experienced bowling unit, not a single bowler looked in a position to create any inroad at all. They failed to keep the Mumbai batters quiet and as a result, they encountered a big loss.

In their pursuit of a challenging target of 197 runs, Mumbai's batters launched the rampage from the get-go, led by Ishan Kishan who attacked aggressively. Displaying impeccable timing, he effortlessly dispatched the ball to the boundary ropes and over them with precision. It eased off the pressure certainly from Rohit Sharma and allowed him to settle. But he, too, played a fine anchor by taking his chances. Mumbai navigated through the Powerplay without losing any wickets, establishing a strong momentum early on. Ishan Kishan reached his fifty in a mere 23 deliveries in no time. They kept finding boundaries in every over showing no mercy whatsoever. Ishan departed on 69 but made sure that the required rate remained under control. After Rohit's departure on 38 runs, Suryakumar Yadav joined the party and took off showing no mercy on the bowlers whatsoever, hoisting the ball into the stands with absolute ease and comfort. He notched up a 17-ball 50 and further made things easier for Mumbai in the chase. Hardik Pandya also struck three sixes and they cruised to the victory easily.

Phew, Mumbai's batters decimated the Bengaluru bowlers and asserted their dominance with authority with 4.3 overs remaining as they smashed the Bengaluru bowlers to all the corners of the park. This convincing victory marks Mumbai's second win of the season, undoubtedly bolstering their net run rate significantly. Conversely, Bengaluru find themselves in a dire situation with their fifth defeat in this edition. Their struggle to defend targets persists, leaving them searching for answers to rectify their shortcomings.

SIX! BANG! WHAT. A. SHOT. Hardik Pandya finishes it off with a cracking shot! Mumbai have done it a canter here as they get over the line with more than 4 overs to spare, chasing 197. Akash Deep stays around the wicket and tries to aim it in the blockhole. Misses the yorker by a bit, around off, it is enough for Hardik Pandya to get underneath it and he lets his bottom hand do the rest. Stays deep in the crease and tonks it into the stands towards the deep extra cover fence for a biggie.

Nails the yorker this time, on off, Tilak Varma jams it out past the bowler and takes a single.

FOUR! It almost went the distance for a maximum! Akash misses his mark by a long way and ends up serving a full toss, outside off, Tilak Varma does not miss out as he stays still on contact and thumps it over extra cover for a boundary.

Bowls it on a back of a length, over middle, Tilak Varma gets on top of the bounce nicely and pulls it to deep backward square leg for one.

Play and a miss! Goes full and angles it across the left-hander, outside off, Tilak Varma goes for a drive away from his body and gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! Connects with the pull shot this time! Siraj hits the deck hard, at pace, just outside off, Tilak Varma rides the bounce well and rolls his wrists to pull it through mid-wicket for a boundary. Mumbai need 10 more to secure their second straight win.

Slower and on a hard length, outside off, Tilak Varma swivels for the pull but misses out as he gets undone by the lack of pace.