RCB’s Bowlers Shine in Thrilling 12-Run Win Over MI, Ends Wankhede Drought
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar lauded his bowlers for their lionhearted efforts on a dew-soaked wicket, leading RCB to a 12-run victory over Mumbai Indians (MI) in an exhilarating IPL 2025 match. This victory marked RCB’s first win at the Wankhede Stadium in 10 years, making it a significant achievement for the team.
RCB posted a challenging total of 221/5, thanks to blistering half-centuries from Virat Kohli (67) and Patidar (64). However, Mumbai Indians, spearheaded by a dazzling 56 from Tilak Varma and a rapid 15-ball 42 from Hardik Pandya, mounted a spirited chase. MI needed 132 off 56 balls and, thanks to a brilliant fightback, reduced the target to 28 off 12 balls. But they fell short by 12 runs, finishing at 209/9.
Despite Patidar being named Player of the Match for his aggressive batting, he was quick to credit the bowlers, especially Krunal Pandya, whose final over was crucial in restricting MI. Patidar said, “It was a really amazing match. The way the bowlers showed courage was amazing to watch. This award goes to the bowling unit. It’s not easy to stop any team, especially here, and the way they did it was incredible.”
Patidar also highlighted Krunal Pandya’s performance in the final over, noting that it was “not easy” bowling in such a tense situation but praising his “courage” and “execution” under pressure. “We knew we had to take the game as deep as possible, and then we could use KP in the last over,” he added.
Krunal, reflecting on the personal challenge of bowling against his brother Hardik, said, “At the end of the day, only one Pandya could win, but the love and affection we have for each other is natural. He batted well, but I wanted to win too.”
Hardik, although disappointed with the loss, acknowledged his team’s strong fight, saying, “We fell short by two hits. The wicket didn’t give much space for the bowlers, and it came down to execution. We didn’t have many options, but we could’ve conceded 5-10 fewer runs.”
RCB’s victory was a team effort, with the bowlers holding their nerve in the final stages to secure an unforgettable win.
