Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended their decade-long losing streak against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium with a thrilling 12-run victory in Match 20 of IPL 2025. On Monday, April 7, Rajat Patidar’s side outclassed the five-time champions to climb to third in the points table, while MI remained in the bottom half after four losses in five games.
Historic Win for RCB at Wankhede
Before Monday’s win, RCB hadn’t tasted victory at the Wankhede since 2015. Their last win at the venue came by 39 runs. With this win, RCB added another significant milestone this season, having already ended a 17-year drought by defeating CSK at Chepauk earlier in the tournament.
Kohli’s Quickfire Fifty Sets the Tone
Put into bat first, RCB got off to a flying start, scoring 73 runs in the powerplay despite losing Phil Salt early. Virat Kohli took control, slamming his first-ever sub-30-ball half-century in the IPL while batting first. His aggressive knock set the tone, and he stitched a crucial 91-run stand with Devdutt Padikkal.
After Padikkal’s dismissal for 37 off 22, Kohli combined with skipper Rajat Patidar to keep the momentum going. The pair took on Mitchell Santner in the 14th over, smashing 20 runs. Kohli eventually fell to Hardik Pandya after scoring a blazing 67 off 42 balls, laced with eight fours and two sixes.
Hardik Pandya Achieves Rare Feat
In the same over, Hardik dismissed Liam Livingstone for a duck and became the first Indian cricketer to complete the double of 5,000 runs and 200 wickets in T20s. RCB capitalised on the platform built by their top order, with Patidar and Jitesh Sharma guiding the team to 221/5.
Patidar struck a 25-ball half-century and went on to score 64 off 32. Jitesh played a key finishing role with an unbeaten 40 off 19 balls. Jasprit Bumrah returned with figures of 2/29 in four overs, while Trent Boult had a tough outing, leaking 57 runs despite taking two wickets.
Hardik and Tilak’s Blazing Stand Falls Short
Chasing a stiff target, MI lost Rohit Sharma early to Yash Dayal. Josh Hazlewood’s smart use of DRS removed Ryan Rickelton, while Krunal Pandya dismissed Will Jacks for 22. Suryakumar Yadav managed 28 but struggled to find rhythm.
At one stage, MI needed 123 runs from the final eight overs. Skipper Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma responded with an aggressive counterattack, adding 89 runs for the fifth wicket in just 30 balls. Tilak, who had retired out in the previous game, scored a valiant 56 off 29, while Hardik smashed 42 off just 15.
RCB Bowlers Hold Nerve at the Death
With 28 runs needed off the final two overs, Hazlewood delivered a match-turning penultimate over, conceding just nine runs and dismissing Hardik. Krunal Pandya bowled the last over with nerves of steel.
He removed Santner on the first ball and then, thanks to a spectacular relay catch between Salt and Tim David at mid-wicket, got rid of Deepak Chahar for a duck. MI’s innings ended at 209/9, falling 12 runs short of the target.
RCB Climb to Third on Points Table
The win marked RCB’s resurgence and a strong campaign push, placing them third behind Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans. For MI, the season continues to spiral with only one win from five games.
