IPL 2021: MI vs RCB Review – Bangalore clinch thriller to upset defending champions

Royal Challengers Bangalore started their 2021 IPL campaign in fine style as they defeated defending champions Mumbai Indians in Chennai on Friday. In a match that went right down to the wire, Bangalore prevailed on the back of a brilliant innings by AB de Villiers. RCB were in the game right from the word go when Virat Kohli won the toss and chose to field first.

Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma started off the season with a run out which put his team on the backfoot. However, Chris Lynn and man-in-form Suryakumar Yadav pushed along compiling a good partnership. Lynn eventually fell one short of his fifty while Yadav made a 23-ball 31 before getting out. With the score being 135 for 4 after 16 overs, Mumbai were looking at a big score.

However, Bangalore came back roaring in the match on the back of a match-winning spell by Harshal Patel who finished with figures of 5 for 27 from his four overs. He picked up three wickets in four balls in the last over of Mumbai Indians’ innings to stop them from reaching beyond 159.

Bangalore didn’t get off to a good start losing Washington Sundar early. But, a crucial partnership between Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell kept them right in the run-chase. Kohli made 33 while Maxwell chipped in with 39. But, it was the batting display by AB de Villiers which ensured RCB started the 2021 season with a win. De Villiers failed to finish the match though, but it was quite fitting that Patel hit the winning runs.

WE HAVE NO WORDS. ???#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #MIvRCB #DareToDream pic.twitter.com/wcWa4DfYUi

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) April 9, 2021

Turning points:

Harshal Patel’s spell: The Haryana bowler was coming into the IPL after an impressive domestic season. His death bowling in the first match against Mumbai might have given hope to the side that they have sealed this one issue. He took five wickets, three of which came in the last over. As a matter of fact, he gave only one run in the last over and RCB winning on the last ball only makes his last over with the ball even more impressive.

AB de Villiers’ knock: The ex-South African batsman showed once again why he has still got it in him to deliver at the crucial junctures of the match. He played an outstanding knock of 48 runs from 27 balls. In the second last over of the RCB innings, he smashed Jasprit Bumrah for two boundaries which took the team further towards the win. The fact that this knock came under pressure when Kohli and Maxwell were already back in the hut, makes it even more special.

Records/Personal Milestones

Yuzvendra Chahal played his 100th IPL game.

Virat Kohli completed 6000 runs in IPL as captain.

Harshal Patel’s 5 for 27 was the first 5-wicket haul by any bowler against Mumbai Indians.

☝️ Hardik Pandya
☝️ Ishan Kishan
☝️ Kieron Pollard
☝️ Krunal Pandya
☝️ Marco Jansen

Harshal Patel became the first player to take a five-wicket haul against Mumbai Indians in the IPL ? #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/0nqx2CTitg

— ICC (@ICC) April 9, 2021

Way Ahead

Mumbai Indians will next face Kolkata Knight Riders on April 13 in Chennai while Royal Challengers Bangalore’s next clash will be against Sunrisers Hyderabad.