In a high-octane clash at the Wankhede Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally broke their decade-long curse, defeating Mumbai Indians (MI) by 12 runs in a thrilling Match 21 of IPL 2025 on Monday. Despite a sensational partnership between Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya, RCB held their nerve in the death overs, thanks to a stunning bowling performance by Krunal Pandya, who claimed 4/45.
Match Summary: RCB vs MI, IPL 2025
| Detail | Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
|---|---|
| 📍 Venue | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 🏆 Winner | RCB won by 12 runs |
| 🧢 Player of the Match | Krunal Pandya (4/45 & match-winning final over) |
| 🔥 Top Performers | Virat Kohli (67), Rajat Patidar (64), Tilak Varma (56), Hardik Pandya (42) |
Kohli & Patidar Power RCB to 221/5
Put in to bat first, RCB got off to a flyer despite losing Phil Salt (4) early to Trent Boult. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal stitched a quick 91-run stand, setting the tone. Padikkal smashed 37 off 22, while Kohli dazzled with 67 off 42, his second fifty of the season.
- Kohli’s Highlights: 8 fours, 2 sixes
- Patidar’s Blazing Knock: 64 off 32 balls, including a 25-ball half-century
RCB posted a mammoth 221/5, with Jitesh Sharma finishing strong with an unbeaten 40 off 19 balls, hitting Jasprit Bumrah for a massive six in the penultimate over.
MI Chase: Varma-Hardik Partnership Sets Wankhede Ablaze
Chasing 222, MI found themselves in deep trouble early as Rohit Sharma (17), Ryan Rickelton (17), and Suryakumar Yadav (28 off 26) departed cheaply. Despite a steady start, they lagged behind the required rate.
Enter Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya, who launched a counter-attack:
- 🔹 Varma: 56 off 29 balls
- 🔹 Hardik: 42 off 15 balls
- 🔹 Partnership: 89 runs off just 37 balls
Their brutal assault brought the equation to 41 off 18 balls, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Varma, and Josh Hazlewood sent back Hardik, turning the tide in RCB’s favor.
Final Over Drama: Krunal Pandya Seals the Deal
With MI needing 28 off 12, the pressure was immense. But Krunal Pandya delivered a stunning final over:
- Claimed three wickets, including Mitchell Santner and Deepak Chahar in successive balls
- Conceded just 15 runs, despite a valiant effort by Naman Dhir
RCB restricted MI to 209/9, winning the match and ending their 10-year winless streak at Wankhede.
Scoreboard Highlights
🏏 RCB Batting:
- Virat Kohli: 67 (42)
- Rajat Patidar: 64 (32)
- Jitesh Sharma: 40* (19)
🔥 MI Bowling:
- Hardik Pandya: 2/38
- Trent Boult: 2/44
🏏 MI Batting:
- Tilak Varma: 56 (29)
- Hardik Pandya: 42 (15)
- Suryakumar Yadav: 28 (26)
🔥 RCB Bowling:
- Krunal Pandya: 4/45
- Josh Hazlewood: 2/37
- Yash Dayal: 2/46
What This Win Means
This match was more than just points on the table — it was a statement win for RCB, finally overcoming their Wankhede curse. For MI, it was a heartbreak despite an incredible comeback attempt. Krunal Pandya’s all-round brilliance stood tall on a night of power-hitting and pressure.
