Anuj Rawat's 66 helped Royal Challengers romp over Mumbai Indians by seven wickets at MCA Stadium in Match 18 of the Indian Premier League 2022. Powered by an unbeaten 68 from Suryakumar Yadav, Mumbai set a target of 152. Bangalore hardly broke into a sweat and completed the chase in the 19th over.
The Mumbai batting unit once again failed to perform, as both the top and middle orders were unable to put on anything substantial. Had not for a solo act from Suryakumar, they would have been restricted to even less. Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga claimed two wickets each for Bangalore.
Mumbai Indians 151/6 in 20 overs
Rohit Sharma got Mumbai Indians off to a breezy start, while Ishan Kishan struggled to get going throughout his stay. After a couple of quiet overs, Rohit struck a six and a four off Mohammed Siraj in his second over. He scored 26 off 15 balls before giving an easy return catch to Harshal just after the Powerplay.
Mumbai lost Dewald Brevis and Kishan in the next two overs. Brevis was pinned leg-before by Wanindu Hasaranga, who was expensive in his first over, while Kishan fell to Akash Deep. Akash kept things tight and even sneaked in a maiden, conceding just 20 off his four overs.
Mumbai needed a heavy lifting from Suryakumar to reach a par total. He struck five fours and six sixes in his unbeaten 68, his second successive fifty after returning to the side.
Royal Challengers Bangalore 152/3 in 18.3 overs
The Bangalore openers, Rawat and Faf du Plessis, were unable to find boundaries at regular intervals early on. After Rawat hit successive sixes against Jaydev Unadkat in the second over, they had to wait for four overs for the next boundary. Du Plessis' agonising stay came to an end in the ninth over, when he holed out to Suryakumar off Unadkat.
Basil Thampi impressed, though his figures were ruined by an over in which he conceded a six and two fours. Rawat batted extremely well in the middle overs, his timely stroking ensured Bangalore never fall behind on the asking rate. He was well assisted by Virat Kohli, whom Brevis trapped leg-before for 48. Glenn Maxwell then struck two successive fours to finish the game with nine balls remaining.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indians 151/6 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 68; Harshal Patel 2-23) lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore 152/3 in 18.3 overs (Anuj Rawat 66; Dewald Brevis 1-8) by 7 wickets with 9 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Anuj Rawat