Mumbai Indians had been pretty unlucky in the IPL 2018 thus far as they lost their first 3 games, all by close margins. They were up against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai for the 14th match of the season where the skipper Rohit Sharma made the night his own and finally, brought his side on the points table.
But at the beginning of the game, it went in the adverse direction for MI after they were put in to bat. Umesh Yadav bowled 2 peaches to castle Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan off consecutive deliveries up front. But those proved to be the only bright spots for RCB as Rohit Sharma and Evin Lewis took the bowling apart in the overs that followed.
Lewis was the aggressor initially while Rohit took the back seat as they recovered to 95/2 after 10 overs. Lewis departed in the 12th over after scoring 65 off 42 balls that included 6 fours and 5 sixes. After the end of a magnificent stand of 108 runs, it was time for Rohit to take center stage.
It was simply the Rohit Sharma show from then on as he showcased his lazy elegance to bring up the fifty in the 15th over. He kept the assault going and it seemed as if he would reach the 3-figure mark. He was well and truly in with the chance in the last over but in the hunt to reach there with a maximum, he fell prey to Corey Anderson for 94 off 52 balls with 10 fours and 5 sixes as MI powered their way to 213/6 after 20 overs.
RCB got off to a decent start as the opening pair of Virat Kohli and Quinton de Kock added 40 runs in the first 4 overs. But as de Kock got out for 19 in the 5th over, the path to victory got steeper and when AB de Villiers followed his countryman after scoring just 1, it was almost done and dusted for the visitors.
Kohli was the only one who looked at ease but he witnessed the downfalls of every other batsman at the far end. They were never in with a chance and despite Kohli’s valiant unbeaten 92 off 62 balls, RCB fell short by a margin of 46 runs.
Match Summary
Royal Challengers Bangalore won the toss and opted to bowl first
Mumbai Indians: 213/6 in 20 overs
Rohit Sharma 94 (52), Evin Lewis 65 (42)
Umesh Yadav 36/2 (4), Corey Anderson 47/2 (4)
Royal Challengers Bangalore: 167/8 in 20 overs
Virat Kohli 92* (62), Quinton de Kock 19 (12)
Krunal Pandya 28/3 (4), Mitchell McClenaghan 24/2 (3)
Mumbai Indians won by 46 runs
Player of the Match: Rohit Sharma
Twitter hailed the heroics of Rohit Sharma in style
CLASS @ImRo45 what an inn..you make it looks so easy🏏🔥🔥⭐️ @IPL
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 17, 2018
Looked to time the ball instead of muscling it…Rohit’s knock eclipsed a top knock by Lewis in the end. Whattaa Player… #MIvRCB #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 17, 2018
This is the reason why #virat is a fan of @ImRo45 ‘s batting.. #hitmanisback #MIVRCB #VIVOIPL
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) April 17, 2018
Virat has always said he’s a huge fan of Rohit’s batting. Nice of Rohit to find form with Virat around #MIvRCB
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) April 17, 2018
What a comeback by Mumbai Indians…
Lost 2 wickets in first 2 balls
Ended the innings with 213/6
Special knock from Rohit after Evin Lewis opening burst!
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) April 17, 2018
That last SIX from Rohit Sharma landed in Brabourne stadium's pavilion.
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) April 17, 2018
175 SIXES FOR ROHIT IN @IPL, the most by an Indian in the league now. #CricketMeriJaan #MIvRCB #MumbaiIndians
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/SirJadeja/status/986294271262187520
Most 50s in IPL:
36 ~ Gambhir
36 ~ Warner
33 ~ Rohit*— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) April 17, 2018
When you have a player of Rohit Sharma's sheer class in the white ball game, a top innings is always round the corner. And @mipaltan got it today.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 17, 2018
An absolute cricket delight to see Rohit bat and have Kohli and AB De Villiers fight for supremacy in the field.. some class in the 30 range circle ⭕️
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) April 17, 2018
Most sixes in IPL:
269 – Chris Gayle
175 – ROHIT SHARMA*
174 – Suresh Raina#MIvRCB— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) April 17, 2018
Dream Start for Umesh in the city of dreams….slightly surprised with the field placements thereafter. Rohit looking sublime. #MIvRCB #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 17, 2018
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