Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: After a batting onslaught led by Phil Salt, Virat Kohli and skipper Rajat Patidar lit up the Wankhede Stadium, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru piled up a daunting 240/4 against Mumbai Indians. With the target set, all eyes turned to Rohit Sharma, known for his ability to dismantle any bowling attack.Rohit began cautiously in the steep chase before shifting gears, but his innings was cut short by injury. At the end of the fifth over, bowled by Krunal Pandya, Rohit appeared to be struggling with his hamstring. He signalled for the physio and received treatment on the field, but with the discomfort worsening, he eventually walked off retired hurt after scoring 19 off 13 balls. Cameras soon captured a dejected reaction from his wife Ritika Sajdeh in the stands.Earlier, RCB’s top order had delivered a batting masterclass. Salt smashed 78 off 36 balls, stitching a 120-run opening stand with Kohli, who made 50 off 38 balls. Patidar then continued the carnage with a blistering 53 off just 20 deliveries, adding 65 runs with Kohli. A late cameo from Tim David (34* off 16) ensured RCB finished with a massive total.After being put in to bat, Kohli set the tone early by taking down Trent Boult, while Salt soon joined the assault. The duo dominated both Boult and Jasprit Bumrah, racing to 71/0 in the powerplay.Salt was particularly severe on Mitchell Santner and Mayank Markande, reaching his fifty in just 25 balls. Kohli soon followed suit, bringing up RCB’s 100 in 8.4 overs.
The breakthrough came via Shardul Thakur, who ended the opening stand at 120. Patidar then took charge, launching a brutal counterattack, including three successive sixes off Markande. He raced to a 17-ball fifty before falling to Santner.Despite wickets at intervals, RCB’s momentum never dipped. Contributions from Jitesh Sharma and the finishing flourish from Tim David pushed the total to 240/4.For Mumbai Indians, Shardul, Hardik Pandya, Santner and Boult picked up a wicket each, but the bowlers were largely at the receiving end of a relentless RCB batting display.
