It was nail-biting as the pendulum swung from Royal Challengers Bangalore camp to the Mumbai Indians support base as the penultimate over was given to Jos Hazelwood as home team Mumbai Indians needed 27 runs from 12 balls with Hardick Pandya still at the wickets batting on 42 striking at 280 with 5 boundaries and 4 sixes he had already cartered in his 42 off just 16 deliveries at the Wnkhede Stadium.
Thilak Varma, who made a brilliant 56 stitching, a partnership of 89 runs with Hardick Pandya, had the run chase target of 222 well within reach because Mumbai Indians were well within striking distance on 188 runs with 6 wickets in hand in 17.2 overs despite Buvenesh Kumar bowling his wicket taking Yorkers .
The Pendulum swung in favour of Royal Challengers Bangalore when Buvenesh Kumar had Thilak Varma caught off a mistimed stroke at long on, the catch being taken by Liam Livingston as Mumbai Indians lost wicket number 5 at a crucial juncture.
The penultimate over is very important in a run chase. Royal Challengers Bangalore were still in the woods with Hardick Pandya at the wickets. Hazelwood got the much needed breakthrough as he had the Mumbai Indians skipper caught by Tim David with the home team dropping their shoulders on 194 for 6 wickets.
The loss of two inform batters back to back brought joy to the tense faces of the RCB fans whilst Mumbai Indian supporters looked desperate as Pandya headed to the dressing room in disbelief that he had thrown it away yet again.
The last over from Kunal Pandya will be in memory for many years. Mumbai Indians needed 19 runs to win off six balls with Mitchell Santner at the wickets.
Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, and the only hope Naman Dir all fell victim to the left arm spin of Krunal Pandya whilst they tried to get to the magical target of 19 runs in the last over.
Royal Challengers Bangalore must be given credit for building a defendable total of 221 for 5 wickets despite the early dismissal of Phil Salt for 3.
Evergreen, Virat Kholi stitched a partnership of 91 runs with Dedutt Padikal, who made 37, whilst Virat made 67 and was supported by Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Rajat Paditar who stuck 5 boundaries and 4 sixes for his 64, however the late cameo of Jitesh Sharma 40 at a strike rate of 200.58 with 2 boundaries and 4 ground clearing sixes got the visitors to 221 for 5 wickets
Hardick Pandya accounted for 2 scalps for 45 runs, but Trent Boult was expensive 2 for 57. It’s good to note that Jasprit Bumrah is back in the park. He looked a shade rusty by his standard and ended his 4 over spell wicket less for 22.
Five times Champions Mumbai Indians are now in 7th place in the points table, having lost their 4th game on the trot and Royal Challengers Bangalore climb up to 3rd place.
Look forward to your company at the Kolkota Night Riders game against Lucknow Super Giants this evening. Both teams have won 2 out of their 4 games played so far, they are on a positive net run rate and occupy the middle of the points table up to date.
