IPL 2026: RCB back to winning ways after another batting masterclass, MI lose three in a row

IPL 2026: RCB back to winning ways after another batting masterclass, MI lose three in a row

IPL 2026: RCB back to winning ways after another batting masterclass, MI lose three in a row Photograph: (IPL)

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Playing at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, RCB scored 200+ for the fourth consecutive match and won by 18 runs and registered their third win of the season. 

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were back to winning ways on Sunday (April 12) as they beat the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026). Playing at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, RCB scored 200+ for the fourth consecutive match and won by 18 runs and registered their third win of the season. On the other hand, the Mumbai Indians have now lost three consecutive matches, having won their opening match of the IPL 2026 season.

RCB back to winning ways

Phil Salt clobbered 78 off 36 balls, with Virat Kohli playing the anchor role in his 50, as defending champions Bengaluru put on 120 for the first wicket and posted 240/4 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. Skipper Rajat Patidar's 53 off 20 balls and a late blitz by Tim David, who hit an unbeaten 34, lifted Bengaluru to an imposing total.

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The presence of Kohli and Mumbai veteran Rohit Sharma -- two stalwarts who now feature only in ODIs for India and the IPL added extra star power to the contest. Bengaluru restricted their opponents to 222/5 as five-time winners Mumbai suffered their third straight defeat in the tournament. England opener Salt was the aggressor at the start for Bengaluru, smacking six fours and six sixes. He was later named player of the match.

Patidar then tore into the Mumbai attack with a string of sixes and, after Kohli's dismissal, raced to his fifty from just 17 balls. David then rounded off the innings with a late flourish.

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What happened in Mumbai innings?

Mumbai started briskly courtesy of Ryan Rickelton's 37, but soon lost steam after Rohit retired hurt due to a hamstring problem. Kohli did not take to the field for Bengaluru after his innings due to an ankle injury. Leg-spinner Suyash Sharma struck twice in one over to dismiss Rickelton and Tilak Varma. Suryakumar Yadav (33) and skipper Hardik Pandya (40) attempted to drag the chase back on track in a brisk partnership of 47, but once both fell, Mumbai slipped behind the required rate.

Impact substitute Sherfane Rutherford made a valiant, unbeaten 71, blasting four sixes in the last over, but the knock came too late for Mumbai.

About the Author

Parth Seth is a research fellow at India Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank, where he studies the themes of development, foreign policy, and multilateralism, particularly in ...Read More