Krunal Pandya celebrates a key wicket during MI vs RCB IPL 2025 clash
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Krunal Pandya delivered a standout all-round performance, taking 4 crucial wickets. However, his effort couldn’t stop Royal Challengers Bengaluru from scripting history at the Wankhede Stadium. In a rollercoaster IPL 2025 clash, RCB edged past Mumbai Indians by 12 runs. They ended a 10-year losing streak at the venue. Despite Krunal Pandya’s best figures of the season, RCB’s death-over brilliance turned the game around.

Krunal Pandya Turning Point: Death Overs Domination

RCB’s triumph was scripted in the final five overs. After a brief setback from a double-wicket over by Hardik Pandya in the 15th, Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma powered the visitors with aggressive strokeplay. Consequently, RCB outshone MI in the death overs. They scored 70/1 at a blazing rate of 14 runs per over. In contrast, MI managed only 52/5 at 10.4 RPO.

RCB Innings Breakdown

PowerPlay: Kohli-Padikkal Show

  • Score: 73/1 | Run Rate: 12.16 | 4s/6s: 8/4
    RCB got off to a flyer. They lost Phil Salt early, but Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal attacked from both ends. As a result, Kohli dominated bowlers like Boult and Chahar. Meanwhile, Padikkal’s back-to-back sixes ended the PowerPlay on a high.

Middle Overs: Kohli Fires, Hardik Hits Back

  • Score: 78/3 | Run Rate: 8.67 | 4s/6s: 6/3
    Kohli continued his blitz and reached a 29-ball fifty. He then fell to Hardik Pandya for 67. In the same over, Hardik struck again, removing Livingstone for a duck. Although MI briefly pulled things back, Patidar’s acceleration post-timeout reignited RCB’s momentum.

Krunal Pandya Death Overs: Patidar and Jitesh Power the Surge

  • Score: 70/1 | Run Rate: 14.00 | 4s/6s: 4/6
    Patidar targeted Hardik in the 17th over. He smashed him for two sixes and a four. Jitesh added the finishing touches with a stunning cameo (40* off 19). He hit two sixes off Boult in the 19th. Although Bumrah delivered a tight final over, RCB closed on a commanding 221/5.

MI Innings Breakdown

PowerPlay: Early Jolts Slow MI Down

  • Score: 54/2 | Run Rate: 9.00 | 4s/6s: 8/2
    Rohit Sharma’s struggles continued. He fell to Yash Dayal early. Soon after, Ryan Rickelton followed via a smart review-led LBW decision off Hazlewood. MI hit a few boundaries. However, they lagged behind in the PowerPlay.

Middle Overs: Hardik Ignites Hope

  • Score: 103/2 | Run Rate: 11.45 | 4s/6s: 10/6
    RCB’s spin gamble paid off. Suyash Sharma outsmarted Suryakumar Yadav with disciplined lines. But Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya fought back fiercely. They struck big in consecutive overs against Hazlewood and Krunal Pandya. Even so, Krunal Pandya had already made his mark in the first innings with a four-wicket haul. That spell restricted RCB during key middle-overs. Furthermore, his breakthrough performances made a crucial difference despite the final result.

Death Overs: Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Seal the Game

  • Score: 52/5 | Run Rate: 10.40 | 4s/6s: 3/4
    Just when MI looked strong, RCB clawed back. Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivered pinpoint death bowling. They dismissed both set batters. Eventually, Krunal Pandya bowled the final over. Though he took three wickets, MI fell short. His final figures — 4/45 — stood out in a high-scoring contest.

Match Summary

RCB: 221/5 (Kohli 67, Patidar 64, Jitesh 40*; Bumrah 0/29)
MI: 209/9 (Tilak 56, Hardik 42; Krunal Pandya 4/45)
Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 12 runs.

What’s Next?

RCB return to their home ground to face Delhi Capitals on April 10. Mumbai Indians regroup to play DC in Delhi on April 13.