Mumbai, April 7 (NationPress) After being pulled out retired hurt by Mumbai Indians in their last game, Tilak Varma smashed a stunning half-century off just 26 balls and formed a partnership of 89 runs for the fifth wicket with Hardik Pandya. However, their remarkable efforts were not enough as Royal Challengers Bengaluru triumphed over the five-time champions by 12 runs in Match 21 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 here on Monday.

Varma dazzled with a remarkable 56 runs off 29 balls, while skipper Hardik Pandya contributed 42 off 15, bringing Mumbai Indians back from needing 132 runs off 56 balls down to 41 off 18. Yet, RCB halted their spectacular comeback as Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Varma, and Josh Hazlewood took out Hardik in the closing overs.

With Mumbai requiring 28 runs off 12 balls, they faltered as Krunal Pandya claimed three wickets in the last over, including the crucial dismissals of Mitchell Santner, who had hit a six off Hazlewood, and Deepak Chahar on consecutive deliveries.

Even though Boult survived the hat-trick ball, a wide, and Naman Dhir hit a four, making it 12 runs needed off two balls to push it to a super over, Krunal dismissed Naman Dhir on the fifth ball, sealing a thrilling victory over MI.

Krunal Pandya finished with figures of 4-45, while Yash Dayal (2-46) and Hazlewood (2-37) excelled with the ball, restricting Mumbai Indians to a total of 209/9 after explosive half-centuries from Virat Kohli (67) and Rajat Patidar (64) helped RCB set a formidable score of 221/5. This win marked RCB's first victory at the Wankhede Stadium since 2015, ending a 10-year jinx.

After being put under pressure by the RCB batters, Mumbai Indians struggled with Rohit Sharma (17 off 9) and Ryan Rickelton (17 off 10) falling to Dayal and Hazlewood. Will Jacks made a brief impact with 22 runs from 18 balls, while Suryakumar Yadav (28 off 26 balls) found it challenging to score against Krunal and Suyash Sharma, which ultimately led to Mumbai's downfall.

Despite Tilak Varma, who previously struggled against the Lucknow Super Giants and had retired out, and Hardik executing some brilliant strokes to revive Mumbai's innings, the brilliance of Krunal Pandya was too much to overcome.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Royal Challengers Bengaluru made a fast start despite losing Phil Salt (4) to Trent Boult on the very first ball of the match.

Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli engineered a partnership of 91 runs for the second wicket, hitting boundaries and sixes against Boult, Deepak Chahar, Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Vignesh Puthur. Padikkal hit consecutive sixes through mid-on and mid-wicket in Chahar's second over, followed by a four. By the end of the powerplay, RCB had amassed 73 runs in six overs.

Padikkal was dismissed for 37 off 22 balls, striking eight boundaries and two sixes, while Virat Kohli showcased his prowess with eight fours and two sixes—one off Bumrah and another off Puthur, with the latter being hit from one knee, bringing him to his fifty off just 29 balls.

Pandya ended Kohli's hopes of a century, with Naman Dhir taking an easy catch at deep mid-wicket as Kohli misplayed a back-of-length delivery outside off, attempting to hit a boundary behind square on the leg side. Kohli's innings concluded at 67 off 42 balls, marking his second half-century of the season. Liam Livingstone went for a duck on his second ball to Pandya, but Patidar and Jitesh Sharma ensured RCB posted a significant total.

Patidar dazzled with his power-hitting, reaching his fifty off 25 balls, and together with Jitesh Sharma, they added 69 runs for the fifth wicket.

Patidar and Sharma attacked Pandya for 23 runs in the 17th over, with the former hitting two sixes and a four off consecutive deliveries, while the latter added a four. They also took Boult for 15 runs in the 19th over before Boult dismissed Patidar for 64, caught by keeper Ryan Rickelton during an attempted scoop.

Jitesh Sharma struck a couple of powerful shots, remaining unbeaten on 40 off 19 balls, including a massive six off Bumrah in the penultimate delivery as RCB set an impressive total.

Brief scores:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 221/5 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 67, Rajat Patidar 64, Jitesh Sharma 40 not out; Hardik Pandya 2-45, Trent Boult 2-57) defeated Mumbai Indians 209/9 in 20 overs (Tilak Varma 56, Hardik Pandya 42; Krunal Pandya 4-45, Yash Dayal 2-46, Josh Hazlewood 2-37) by 12 runs.