RCB Triumphs Over MI in Thrilling IPL 2026 Encounter

RCB Secures Victory Against MI in High-Scoring IPL Match

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 13: In a thrilling encounter at the Wankhede Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by 18 runs during the IPL 2026 match on Sunday. RCB set a formidable target of 240 runs, thanks to explosive half-centuries from Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, and Rajat Patidar, before managing to restrict MI to 222 runs despite a late surge from Sherfane Rutherford.

As MI began their chase of 241 runs, openers Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton launched an aggressive assault on the RCB bowlers, racing to 39 runs without loss in just three overs. They maintained their momentum, concluding the powerplay at 62/0, keeping the chase alive.

However, MI faced a significant blow when Rohit Sharma had to leave the field due to a hamstring injury during the sixth over, disrupting their early rhythm.

RCB made their first breakthrough in the eighth over when leg-spinner Suyash Sharma dismissed Rickelton for 37 runs off 22 balls, which included three fours and three sixes. Suyash followed up by taking out Tilak Varma for just one run, shifting the momentum towards RCB.

At the halfway point, MI was at 99/2, still in contention but feeling the pressure from the rising required run rate.

The innings took another hit in the 13th over when all-rounder Krunal Pandya dismissed Suryakumar Yadav, who had scored a quick 33 runs off 22 balls. MI found themselves at 138/3 after 14 overs, needing a strong finish to keep their hopes alive.

Skipper Hardik Pandya attempted to revive the innings with a brisk 40 runs off 22 balls, featuring six fours and a six. His aggressive play kept MI in the hunt momentarily, but RCB pacer Jacob Duffy struck at a crucial moment, dismissing Hardik. Rasikh Salam Dar then removed Naman Dhir for just one run, leaving MI at 154/5.

In the final overs, Sherfane Rutherford's explosive 71 runs off 31 balls, which included one four and nine sixes, brought MI closer to the target, but they ultimately finished at 222/5, falling short by 18 runs.

For RCB, Suyash Sharma was the standout bowler with two wickets to his name.

Earlier in the match, RCB's innings was propelled by a 120-run partnership between Salt (78 runs off 36 balls) and Virat Kohli (50 runs off 38 balls), along with a quickfire 53 runs off 20 balls from skipper Patidar. David also contributed with a solid 34 runs off 16 balls, helping RCB reach a massive total.

After being asked to bat first by MI, Salt and Kohli started aggressively, with Kohli hitting Trent Boult for a six and Salt following up with a four in the opening over. RCB continued to pile on the runs against Boult and Jasprit Bumrah, with Salt smashing three sixes and a four in one over, bringing RCB to 50 runs in just over four overs.

At the end of the powerplay, RCB stood at 71/0, with Salt on 47 and Kohli on 22. Salt reached his fifty in just 25 balls, while RCB crossed the 100-run mark in the eighth over.

RCB's opening partnership was finally broken when Shardul Thakur caught Salt off Hardik Pandya's bowling. RCB was at 120/1 in the 11th over. Patidar then took charge, hitting a flurry of boundaries and sixes, pushing RCB past 150 runs in the 13th over.

Virat Kohli reached his second fifty of the season but was dismissed shortly after. Patidar continued his assault, scoring a rapid fifty before being caught off Santner's bowling. RCB reached 240/4 at the end of their innings, with David and Romario Shepherd remaining unbeaten.

Shardul, Hardik, Santner, and Boult each took a wicket for MI.