Virat Kohli was at the center of attention once again, this time not just for his batting but for his fiery celebration during the final moments of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s tense win over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.
As Mumbai’s chase came apart in the last over, Kohli’s loud and animated reaction highlighted the intensity of the moment, while Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya watched on in quiet disappointment.
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Bengaluru had a tough challenge on their hands but they managed to pull through in a match filled with momentum shifts. After posting a massive total of 222, thanks largely to Virat Kohli’s brilliant knock of 67 runs, RCB had to withstand a late fightback from Mumbai’s middle order.
Virat Kohli, returning to his best form, batted with confidence against a strong Mumbai bowling lineup. He found gaps with ease and even took on Jasprit Bumrah, smashing eight fours and two sixes during his stay at the crease, helping his team go past the 200-run mark.
Mumbai’s chase got off to a shaky start and they were struggling at 99 for 4. The loss of Suryakumar Yadav, who found it difficult to get going, made things harder. Rohit Sharma too couldn’t contribute much, falling early to Yash Dayal. But just when it looked like the match was slipping away, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya turned up the heat.
Tilak played fluently and brought up his first half-century of the season, shaking off memories of being retired out in the previous match. Hardik joined the party with a fierce burst of power-hitting, smashing two sixes and two boundaries in just his first four balls. Their partnership breathed new life into the game and gave Mumbai a real chance.
However, Bengaluru’s bowlers kept calm under pressure. They tightened their lines in the final few overs and ensured that Mumbai couldn’t go past the finish line. The wicket of Naman Dhir in the last over sealed the result and Kohli’s roar in celebration captured the relief and joy of a hard-fought win.
Mumbai’s loss ended a ten-year unbeaten streak at home against Bengaluru and with another game around the corner against Delhi Capitals on April 13, they will be keen to bounce back and get their campaign back on track.
