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Arpit Sachdeva

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Royal Challengers Bangalore

Three talking points from MI vs RCB IPL 2025 match

Royal Challengers Bangalore (Image Credits: Twitter)

The 20th match of the Indian Premier League 2025 season between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore turned out to be the best game we have witnessed this season so far. The match went down to the wire and it was worth every penny for the spectators. It had everything from - recording the best powerplay with the bat by RCB against MI in IPL to some superb death bowling from Jasprit Bumrah, from a combined bowling effort from RCB to MI’s resurgence with the bat in the latter half of the second innings. 

In the end, it was Royal Challengers Bangalore, who won the game by 12 runs and deservedly so. Batting first, they piled up a mammoth score of 221 runs in the first innings. It was followed by brilliant bowling from the bowlers before Hardik and Tilak brought life into the game in the second half of the innings. However, MI fell 12 runs short of the target as they succumbed to their fourth defeat in five games. RCB, meanwhile, registered their third win in four games. 

On that note, here’s a look at three talking points from the game: 

1. RCB led the charge with the bat 

The intent was quite clear right from ball one as Phil Salt creamed one through extra cover for a boundary. The next ball, he got out but that didn't stop Royal Challengers Bangalore batters from taking on the aggressive approach.  Padikkal and Virat Kohli made brilliant use of the powerplay and ended up smashing the most runs scored for RCB in powerplay against MI in IPL history. Virat Kohli looked nothing short of sensational as he often backed away to manufacture his shots even when the ball was not there to be hit. In the first six overs, RCB managed to score 73 runs for the loss of one wicket. The wicket of Padikkal ( 37 off 22) slowed things down a bit as they could only manage 38 runs between 6 and 12 overs of the innings. 

Rajat Patidar took some time to settle down but once he got his eye in, he looked unstoppable. Virat Kohli brought up his half-century off just 29 balls but wasn’t getting his timing right after the 10th over, to be precise. He played a brilliant knock of 67 off 42 balls, including eight fours and two sixes. Patidar shifted to fifth gear following the departure of Kohli as he, once again, showcased his ability to hit sixes down the ground. The RCB skipper hit five fours and five fours en-route to a wonderful knock of 64 off 32.

He was given brilliant support at the other end by Jitesh Sharma, who impressed one and all with his scoop and ramp shots. Jitesh finished off wonderfully as he played an invaluable unbeaten knock of 40 off 19 balls. Despite two brilliant overs from Jasprit Bumrah at the death, the Royal Challengers Bangalore reached a formidable score of 221 runs on the board at the end of the first innings. 

2. Krunal Pandya's 4 for 45 led RCB's all-round performance with the ball 

Despite posting a mamoth score, RCB had to bowl well on a batting paradise in Wankhede to win it and they did that during most part of the innings. The fast bowlers were excellent in the powerplay, especially Josh Hazlewood, who gave away just six runs in his two overs and also took the crucial wicket of Ryan Rickleton. Out of form, Rohit Sharma started well with the bat but an in-swinger from Yash Dayal had his stumps rattled. 

At the end of six overs, Mumbai Indians had managed to score just 54 runs for the loss of two wickets. There was no respite after the powerplay, either, as Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya didn’t allow Suryakumar Yadav and Will Jacks to free their arms and hit the shots where they wanted to.

Suryakumar was trying to hit behind square, which is his favourite region but Krunal and Suyash Sharma ensured they bowled him outside the off-stump at a good pace. MI had lost four wickets for 99 runs on the board at the end of 12 overs with a mountain to climb. Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma brought the game back, thereafter, but an exceptional bowling at the death meant RCB took two points in the end.

3. Hardik, Tilak's resurgence brought MI back into the contest 

RCB were dominating the game till the 12th over of the second innings. However, Hardik Pandya’s arrival turned things around dramatically for the hosts. Tilak Varma, who had a point to prove, showed why he is the ideal number three batter for the franchise and not Will Jacks. In the 13th over, the southpaw smashed a six and two fours to Suyash Sharma, who looked brilliant till that point. The next over, it was Hardik Pandya’s turn and he exhibited his brute power. Josh Hazlewood, who had given just six runs in his first two overs in the powerplay, was smacked for two fours and as many sixes. The game turned on its head and Mumbai were back in the contest. 

Hardik Pandya ensured he turned the momentum slightly in their favour after he smacked his brother Krunal for two more sixes in the next over. It was a 19-run over and suddenly, the equation was brought down to 65 needed off 30 balls. The duo continued to lead the charge as 24 runs came off the next two overs. 41 runs were needed off 18 deliveries and it looked like they would snatch the game away but not to be. 

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