RCB def MI by 14 runs on Match 31 of IPL2018. With both sides languishing at the bottom, they were desperate for victory. Defending 168, RCB had MI under the pump at 21 for 3; later reduced to 84 for 5.
MI's chase started on the wrong note. Tim Southee led to back-to-back golden ducks for Ishan Kishan versus RCB. Suryakumar Yadav followed suit. He shuffled, and missed Umesh Yadav's was trapped lbw. MI's woes continued as skipper Rohit Sharma got out for a golden duck. He was hurried onto the ball, with bounced a bit more, and got a thick edge.
JP Duminy's calmness was the need of hour. While he stuck around for a while, he didn't look threatening. Kieron Pollard, on the other hand, was deceived by a cross-seamer from Mohammed Siraj and got out early .RCB kept things under control courtesy Yuzvendra Chahal's turn.
The Pandya brothers, Hardik and Krunal, had a clear plan: to bat deep and consolidate later in the innings. They played out Chahal, and had some dry overs in between as well. Pandya bros looked to up the ante by attacking Colin dr Grandhomme. However, the run-flow was curtailed due to a much-improved death bowling from RCB. Siraj mixed it up, and bowled flat with adequate pace. Southee also made it difficult for MI.
Hardik made a valiant fifty but couldn't prevent his side's sixth defeat. His was only not a very fluent innings; showing the sticky nature of the surface. Earlier, MI opted to bowl first. RCB somehow managed 167 for 7 by contributions from Brendon McCullum, Virat Kohli and de Grandhomme.
MI couldn't maintain the momentum post their impressive win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Tim Southee was the man of the match.
Brief Score:
RCB : 167/7 in 20 overs (Manan Vohra 45 , Brendum Mccullam 37) ; ( Hardik Pandya 3-28)
MI : 153/7 in 20 overs ( Hardik Pandya 50, Krunal Pandya 23) ; (Tim Southee 2-25)
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