Royal Challengers Bangalore pacers blew away the Mumbai Indians’ top order before shining in the death overs to set up a much-needed 14-run win, which kept them alive in the IPL Play-offs race, in Bengaluru on Tuesday night.
Mumbai Indians bowlers had also exploited a difficult batting track but leaked a few runs towards to end to allow the hosts post 167 for seven, which was a fighting total under challenging conditions.
Virat Kohli (32) and Brendon McCullum (37) added 60 quick runs in the middle overs to help RCB recover from a slow start and Colin de Grandhomme (23 from 10) hit three sixes in the last over, bowled by fellow New Zealander Mitchell McClenaghan, to provide a flourishing finish to the RCB innings.
MI all-rounder Hardik Pandya (3/28) scalped three batsmen and effected a run out to stop the hosts from running away with a big total but it proved enough in the end as all Mumbai Indians managed was 153 for seven.
Twitterati were in awe to see the way RCB bowlers responded in a must-win game.
Here are some of the best Twitter reactions:
The bowlers finally coming good collectively for RCB and they win.
Southee very good at the death, Umesh and Siraj were exceptional.
Kohli will be particularly happy that they could defend 35 from the last 3. Much needed win for @RCBTweets #RCBvsMI— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 1, 2018
The bowling performance that #RCB needed. Super effort.
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) May 1, 2018
Top bowling performance with the new and old ball by #RCB. Especially Siraj. Good for him. Good for #RCB Good for Indian cricket. #IPL #RCBvMI
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/danevn81/status/991379894461485057
Mumbai were always back-to-the-wall after losing 4 wickets for 47, specially Rohit for first ball duck. But credit to @RCBTweets for stout-hearted defence. All frontline bowlers excellent and fielding superb #ReinventYourGame #RCBvMI
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 1, 2018
Good bday gift for @AnushkaSharma as her man @imVkohli's #RCB win their home match against #MI. #Kohli deserves it for his undying passion and desire to win 👍 #RCBvMI#AnushkaSharma
— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac) May 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/Aarushiiiiiiiii/status/991378658500710400
Today is her birthday and this was a gift for her. It was a crucial game for us and it was nice to get the two points in her presence – @imVkohli on @AnushkaSharma!
*Add the Aww and ❤*#IPL
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 1, 2018
This is excellent from @imVkohli second such catch in 2 matches. Seals the game. Very imp win for @RCBTweets Hardik played well but wasn’t enough to finish it. #RCBvMI
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) May 1, 2018
McClenaghan conceded 21 runs off last 3 balls — 6, 2, 6+Nb, 6 — which made the difference in the end and MI lost by 14 runs. #RCBvMI
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 1, 2018
Time has also come in the IPL to not blindly choose to chase after winning the toss. #RCBvMI
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 1, 2018
So, this is how death bowling should go. The @RCBTweets have finally got it right. Outstanding effort both with the ball and with their fielding #RCBvMI
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) May 1, 2018
#RCB Beat #MumbaiIndians By 14 Runs. Perfect Birthday Gift For Anushka Sharma. 😇💪#RCBvMI #RCBvsMI pic.twitter.com/oEM2BfzhEn
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) May 1, 2018
Pic1: RCB fans right now
Pic2: MI fans right now #RCBvMI pic.twitter.com/1jwUsPiVmQ
— Akshay (@akshaykatariyaa) May 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/TroluKejri/status/991367929093541888
Virat Kohli will be delighted by how his Indian quicks have bowled today. Umesh Yadav tilted the match #RCB's way and Mohd Siraj has held his own magnificently at the end
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 1, 2018
#RCB win by 14 runs, end up conceding a six off the last ball but that's irrelevant.
We managed to defend a par score and our BOWLING has come to the party 💪❤️#PlayBold #RCBvMI— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) May 1, 2018
Delhi Daredevils calling Mumbai Indians in bottom four. #IPL pic.twitter.com/NETwTdumR2
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) May 1, 2018
