The Aryavarth Express
Mumbai, April 13: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a commanding performance to defeat Mumbai Indians (MI) by 18 runs at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, posting their highest-ever total at the venue.
A blistering knock from Phil Salt, who smashed 78 off just 36 balls, earned him the Player of the Match award, while captain Rajat Patidar continued his rich vein of form with a stunning 53 off 20 deliveries. With the ball, Krunal Pandya (1/26) and Suyash Sharma (2/47) played crucial roles in restricting MI’s chase.
Speaking after the match, Patidar expressed confidence in RCB’s batting unit, highlighting their consistency in posting big totals. He noted that regularly crossing the 200-run mark boosts the team’s morale and reflects the depth of talent in the squad.
The RCB skipper also etched his name in the record books by scoring a 17-ball half-century — the fastest fifty by a captain in the tournament’s history. Sharing his batting philosophy, Patidar said he focuses on reacting to the ball rather than overthinking, while staying clear about his shot selection and identifying scoring opportunities, even from the dugout.
Krunal Pandya credited the team’s strong batting foundation for setting up the victory. He praised contributions from key players, including Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, and Tim David, and singled out Salt’s aggressive approach in the powerplay as a game-changer.
He also lauded Patidar’s leadership and consistency, stating that the captain has been exceptional across all innings and is leading from the front with clarity and confidence.
Acknowledging the role of the support staff, Krunal highlighted the efforts of Dinesh Karthik, calling him the “mastermind” behind the team’s batting success and crediting his work with individual players.
Despite a big total on the board, Patidar admitted that dew and conditions kept the pressure on the bowling unit. He praised the early spells from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jacob Bethell for executing plans effectively.
The captain identified Rasikh Salam’s spell (1/23) as the turning point of the match, applauding his use of slower balls and yorkers that shifted momentum in RCB’s favour.
Patidar reserved special praise for Krunal Pandya, calling him one of the most courageous bowlers he has seen. He emphasized Krunal’s ability to keep batters guessing and his fearless approach as key strengths that make him a valuable asset to the team.
