Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar admitted his side were fortunate to escape with a win after nearly botching a modest 167-run chase against Mumbai Indians in Raipur on Sunday, May 10. The two-wicket victory pushed RCB to the top of the points table in a tense finish to a high-pressure encounter.
The result came in a gripping contest on a two-paced Raipur surface that tested both batting line-ups and went down to the final over.
“I don’t think we deserved to win the match because with our batting lineup, we should be chasing this target easily,” Patidar said after the game, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “It was a very tight match but overall, a great game, and I think Krunal Pandya has done it for the team,” he added, praising the all-rounder’s crucial knock under pressure.
The chase looked in trouble early after RCB slipped to 39/3 inside the Powerplay, continuing a worrying trend where they had struggled to recover after early wickets. However, Krunal Pandya anchored the innings brilliantly with a 73 off 46 balls despite battling severe cramps, stitching vital partnerships alongside Jacob Bethell to keep RCB alive in the contest.
RCB EDGE MI TO GO TOP
In the closing stages, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru down to eight wickets and needing 11 runs from the last three balls, the game swung again dramatically when Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who had earlier taken four wickets, stepped up under pressure and smashed a stunning first-ball six in the tense final over, shifting momentum back in RCB’s favour and sealing a dramatic victory.
The victory not only secured RCB two crucial points but also officially eliminated Mumbai Indians from the Indian Premier League playoff race. It was a match defined by momentum swings, with both sides struggling to build sustained control on a tricky surface.
RCB’s inability to dominate a modest target despite their strong batting depth will be a concern for the management, especially ahead of the business end of the tournament. However, their ability to hold nerve in a tight finish reflects improved game awareness in crunch moments. RCB now return home to face Kolkata Knight Riders on May 13, a fixture that could further shape the playoff race as KKR remain firmly in contention.
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