Rohit Sharma (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)
New Delhi: After a batting attack led by Phil Salt, Virat Kohli and skipper Rajat Patidar lit up the Wankhede Stadium, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru made 240/4 against Mumbai Indians.
With the target set, all eyes turned to Rohit Sharma, who is known for his ability to dismantle any bowling attack.Rohit started cautiously in the steep chase before changing gears, but his innings was cut short by injury. At the end of the fifth over, bowled by Krunal Pandya, Rohit appeared to be suffering from a hamstring injury. He referred to a physiotherapist and received treatment on the field, but as the discomfort worsened, he eventually retired in pain after scoring 19 off 13 balls.
Cameras quickly captured a depressed reaction from his wife Ritika Sajda in the stands.Earlier, the RCB top order had given a batting masterclass. Salt smashed 78 off 36 balls, stitching a 120-run opening stand with Kohli, who made 50 off 38 balls. Patidar then continued the carnage with 53 runs off just 20 deliveries, adding 65 runs with Kohli. A late cameo from Tim David (34* off 16) ensured RCB finished with a massive total.
After putting in the bat, Kohli set the tone early by dropping Trent Boult, while Salt quickly joined the attack. The duo dominated both Boult and Jasprit Bumrah, racing to 71/0 in the powerplay.The salt was particularly harsh on Mitchell Santner and Mayank Markande, as he reached his fifty in just 25 balls. Kohli soon followed suit, fetching 100 for RCB in 8.4 overs.
The breakthrough came via Shardul Thakur, who finished the opening position at 120.
Patidar then took charge, launching a brutal counter-attack, including three successive sixes off Markande. He raced to a 17-ball fifty before falling to Santner.Despite wickets at intervals, RCB’s momentum never waned. Contributions by Jitesh Sharma and a finishing touch from Tim David pushed the total to 240/4.For Mumbai Indians, Shardul, Hardik Pandya, Santner and Boult all picked up a wicket, but the bowlers were largely at the receiving end of RCB’s relentless batting display.
