royal challengers bengaluru vs mumbai indians match scorecard

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs Mumbai Indians (MI) match scorecard and analysis — focusing on their recent IPL clash, plus some broader context:

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RCB vs MI: Match Recap & Scorecard Breakdown

🏏 Match Summary – IPL 2025, Match 20

• Date / Venue: April 7, 2025, at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (ESPN)

• Toss: Mumbai Indians won the toss and chose to bowl. (Cricbuzz)

• Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 12 runs. (ESPN)

• Player of the Match: Rajat Patidar (RCB) (ESPN)

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📊 Scorecard Highlights

RCB Innings (20 overs)

• Total: 221/5 (ESPN.com)

• Key Batters:

  • Virat Kohli — 67 (42 balls) (mint)

  • Rajat Patidar — 64 (32 balls) (mint)

  • Devdutt Padikkal — 37 (22) (mint)

  • Jitesh Sharma — 40* (19) (mint)

• Bowlers for MI:

  • Hardik Pandya: 4 overs, 45 runs, 2 wickets (mint)

  • Trent Boult: 4 overs, 57 runs, 2 wickets (ESPN.com)

MI Innings (20 overs)

• Total: 209/9 (ESPN.com)

• Notable Batters:

  • Tilak Varma — 56 (29 balls) (Reddit)

  • Hardik Pandya — 42 (15) (Reddit)

• Key Bowlers for RCB:

  • Krunal Pandya: 4 overs, 45 runs, 4 wickets (Reddit)

  • Josh Hazlewood: 4 overs, 37 runs, 2 wickets (The Indian Express)

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🔍 Tactical Analysis & Turning Points

1. Explosive RCB Batting

   • RCB piled up a big total (221) through a measured yet aggressive approach. Kohli and Patidar anchored the innings in the top & middle order, while Jitesh Sharma’s quickfire finish (40* off 19) gave them a massive push in the death overs. (mint)

   • Their run rate: ~11.05, which shows how well they paced the innings. (mint)

2. MI’s Fightback & Collapse

   • Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya gave MI momentum with a rapid middle-order partnership. (Reddit)

   • But RCB’s bowlers, especially Krunal Pandya, made the difference in the death overs. His 4-wicket haul was crucial. (Reddit)

   • Hazlewood backed him up with smart, disciplined bowling at the death. (The Indian Express)

3. Strategic Mastery

   • Choosing to bat first paid off for RCB — they maximized scoring and then applied pressure.

   • Mumbai’s decision to bowl first backfired slightly; even though their middle order fired, they couldn’t sustain it.

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📈 Broader Context: RCB vs MI Rivalry

• Historically, MI have dominated the rivalry: in 33 IPL meetings (as of 2025), MI have won 19, while RCB have won 14. (Probo)

• This 2025 win for RCB was significant: not just for the big total, but also because it ended a long-standing “Wankhede jinx” for them against MI. (YouTube)

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📌 Why This Match Mattered

• Momentum Shift: A high-scoring win like this boosts RCB's confidence immensely.

• Team Balance: RCB showcased depth — good starts, a solid middle order, and death hitters.

• Bowling Clutch: MI’s collapse under pressure shows how important death bowling and planning are in T20.

• Fan Impact: Rivalry games like RCB vs MI always draw extra attention — this one delivered both drama and quality.