Mumbai, April 13 (NationPress) The Royal Challengers Bengaluru delivered an impressive all-round bowling performance that curtailed the Mumbai Indians' ambitions of achieving the highest-ever chase at Wankhede Stadium, leading to an 18-run triumph for the visitors in Match 20 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday.

RCB's innings was powered by remarkable half-centuries from Phil Salt (78) and Rajat Patidar (53), along with a steady fifty from Virat Kohli, enabling them to set a formidable total of 240/4 in their 20 overs. Despite commendable bowling efforts from Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma, who excelled on a pitch with limited assistance, they managed to restrict the Mumbai Indians to 222/5 amidst scoreboard pressure.

Sherfane Rutherford's spirited knock of 71 runs off 31 balls, paired with a 68-run partnership alongside Mitchell Santner (8), ultimately proved fruitless as the Mumbai Indians faced their third consecutive defeat. Adding to their woes was the hamstring injury sustained by their opener and former champion Rohit Sharma, who had to exit the match in the sixth over.

RCB secured their third victory in four matches, accumulating six points and climbing to third place in the points table, trailing behind Rajasthan Royals (8) and Punjab Kings (7).

The Mumbai Indians began their chase of 241 positively, with Ryan Rickelton hitting a six off Jacob Duffy in the first over, and Rohit Sharma contributing to a 50-run partnership by the fifth over. They reached 62 without loss during the Power-play, but the mood soured in the dugout when Rohit had to retire due to injury, having scored 19 runs.

Rickelton showcased aggressive batting, striking Duffy for four and six before falling to a wild swing at a Suyash Sharma delivery, scoring 37 runs off 22 balls with three fours and three sixes.

Tilak Varma (1) was dismissed after only three balls, attempting a sweep off Suyash Sharma, leading to a straightforward catch to Duffy. The leg-spinner's double strike severely hindered the Mumbai Indians' chase.

Suryakumar Yadav, who started with a four against Impact player Rasikh Salam, hit another boundary off Krunal Pandya and followed it with consecutive fours against Suyash Sharma, bringing Mumbai to 99/2 at the halfway mark, trailing RCB's 115 for no loss. However, Suryakumar's innings concluded at 33 runs off 22 balls when he was caught at backward square leg.

Hardik Pandya began his innings with a six off Suyash Sharma, and his aggressive batting included multiple boundaries, reigniting Mumbai's hopes. Sadly, the chase faltered after Rohit's exit, and Hardik soon misplayed a delivery from Duffy, scoring 41 runs as Mumbai fell to 145/4 in the 15th over, needing 93 runs from the last five overs.

RCB tightened their grip during the middle overs, with Krunal Pandya delivering an exceptional performance with figures of 1-26, while Suyash Sharma took 2-47 in his four overs.

From a promising 72/1 in the eighth over, the Mumbai Indians collapsed to 147/4. Despite Rutherford's valiant efforts, including a spectacular six against Rasik Salam in the 16th over, the innings faced a dramatic twist as Salam struggled with cramps.

With Mumbai needing an improbable 84 runs off 24 balls, they concluded their innings with 222/5, falling short by 18 runs.

Brief scores:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240/4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Rajat Patidar 53, Virat Kohli 50, Tim David 34 not out; Shardul Thakur 1-32, Hardik Pandya 1-39) defeated Mumbai Indians 222/5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2-47, Krunal Pandya 1-26) by 18 runs.