Batting first, Virat Kohli was out for 1 as he tried to take on Jason Behrendorff. Anuj Rawat was the next to go for 6, also perishing to the MI pacer. Du Plessis and Maxwell then added 120 runs for the third wicket. Du Plessis smashed five fours and three sixes, while Maxwell hit eight fours and four sixes. Mahipal Lomror was bowled by Kumar Kartikeya for 1. Dinesh Karthik played a fine cameo of 30 in 18 balls to lift RCB to 199. For MI, Behrendorff was the standout bowler with 3/36.
In the chase, Mumbai lost Rohit Sharma to Wanindu Hasaranga for 7 off 8. However, at the other end, Ishan Kishan (42 off 21) gave the MI innings momentum. His knock featured four fours and as many sixes. Suryakumar and Nehal Wadhera (52 not out off 34) then added 140 for the third wicket to ensure an easy win for MI. Suryakumar slammed seven fours and six sixes, while Wadhera four fours and three sixes.
Speaking after winning the match, MI captain Rohit Sharma said, “It is a good pitch. If you apply yourselves, you can get runs. We restricted them to less than 200. Was a great effort, It could have been 220 or more. I have no idea what a safe score is.
“The last four games we have seen excess of 200 has been scored. Most of the teams are taking risks and it is coming off. The batters are taking risks and 200 plus scores are being chased. The mindset of the batters is to do something special for the team and it is coming off as well,” he added.
Player of the Match, Suryakumar added, “Much needed from team's point of view. I am very happy to win a home game like this. I mean they come up with a plan. They tried to make me hit to the bigger part. Take the pace off and bowl slow. I said Nehal let's hit it hard and hit it into the gaps and run hard.”
--By A Cricket Correspondent