RCB posts 221/5 in 20 overs with a strong finish from Rajat Patidar & Jithesh Sharma, setting a challenging target for MI in IPL 2025 Match 20
Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar were batting impressively when Jasprit Bumrah returned for his second over, slowing down the scoring by conceding only 5 runs. After being cautious against Bumrah in the previous over, Kohli used Mitchell Santner to break the shackles with a boundary. The runs began to flow as Rajat Patidar attacked Hardik Pandya and Mitchell Santner, hitting some boundaries and sixes, including a remarkable 20 runs off Santner’s over. By the end of the 14th over, RCB stood at 143/2, setting their sights on a score well over 200
Once the timeout ended and RCB was riding high on momentum, Hardik Pandya delivered a crucial blow by dismissing Virat Kohli for 67 runs off 42 balls. Kohli left the field to loud applause from the crowd after the blazing start he gave for his team.
Liam Livingston, expected to excel in this situation, fell for a two-ball duck after being dismissed by Pandya, quickly reducing RCB from 143/2 to 144/4 in just three deliveries. This marked a solid comeback for the home team right after the break.
Jithesh Sharma joined his skipper in the middle and struck Trent Boult for a four and a six. Together with Rajat Patidar, they scored 18 runs off Boult’s over, regaining the momentum they lost during Pandya’s over. The boundaries continued to flow as Rajat Patidar reached his second half-century of the season with a six off Hardik Pandya. During this over, the pair of Jithesh and Rajat added 23 runs, including two massive sixes that went out of Wankhede Stadium.
Royal Challengers Bangalore were back on track by the end of the 17th over, with 198/2 on the board, as they set their sights on exceeding 230 runs. Jasprit Bumrah returned to bowl his third over, usually a master of death bowling, and he managed to stop the boundary flow, giving away only 6 singles in the 18th over. With two overs left, Jithesh Sharma took on Trent Boult, scoring 15 runs in his over, marking a rough day for Boult, who ended with his most expensive IPL figures of 2/57.
Bumrah bowled the final over, with Jithesh Sharma scooping him for a six. Despite this, Bumrah only conceded 8 runs in the final over and managed to dismiss Rajat Patidar, claiming his first wicket of the season. With Jithesh Sharma remaining not out at 40 runs off 19 balls, RCB posted a huge total of 221/5 in 20 overs. The target of 222 would not be easy for RCB to defend, especially with the dew settling in; however, they believed that four good overs could help them secure the win.
Mumbai Indians, led by Rohit Sharma, were ready to start their chase, with Rohit already on the field as an Impact Sub. Stay tuned for the chase highlights that will follow.
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