By RCB vs MI 2025: Rajat Patidar’s Match-Winning Knock Leads RCB to Thrilling Victory
In what turned out to be a pulsating encounter at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) edged out Mumbai Indians (MI) by 12 runs in Match 20 of the IPL 2025. The victory, RCB’s first at this iconic venue in nearly a decade, was driven by a match-winning knock from Rajat Patidar and a disciplined, composed bowling effort in the death overs — particularly by Krunal Pandya.
Rajat Patidar’s Commanding Knock
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, RCB looked focused and aggressive right from the outset. Virat Kohli opened the innings with intent and class, scoring a fluent 67 off 42 balls. His timing, placement, and ability to rotate strike kept the scoreboard ticking. However, it was Rajat Patidar, the newly appointed RCB skipper, who turned the heat on the MI bowlers in the middle overs.
Coming in at No. 3, Patidar played with composure and controlled aggression. He smashed 64 runs off just 34 deliveries, peppering the field with crisp boundaries and towering sixes. The standout moment of his innings came during Hardik Pandya’s over, where he took charge and shifted momentum squarely in RCB’s favor.
Speaking after the match, Patidar credited the pitch conditions and expressed his satisfaction at capitalizing on key overs. He also highlighted the effectiveness of wrist spinners in T20 cricket, especially singling out Suyash Sharma, whose middle-overs spell he described as “game-defining in terms of control and pressure.”
RCB ended their innings with a formidable 221/5 in 20 overs — a total that looked challenging even on a batting-friendly surface like Wankhede.
Mumbai’s Response: A Valiant Yet Incomplete Chase
Chasing 222 was always going to be a tall order, but MI began with confidence. Rohit Sharma gave them a brisk start before falling early. Tilak Varma stepped up with a gritty half-century, anchoring one end of the innings and attempting to steer the chase through the middle overs.
The real fireworks came from Hardik Pandya, who unleashed a barrage of boundaries and sixes en route to a 15-ball 42. His aggressive cameo injected life into MI’s chase and brought the equation down to a very achievable rate.
But just as MI fans began to hope, RCB’s bowlers, led by Krunal Pandya, shut the door. The final few overs were a masterclass in pressure bowling, especially with Krunal delivering a brilliant last over to seal the game.
Krunal Pandya’s Heroic Spell Turns the Tide
While Rajat Patidar may have led the charge with the bat, it was Krunal Pandya’s four-wicket haul that ensured RCB defended their total successfully. Tasked with bowling the final over, Krunal showcased his calm under pressure, mixing up his pace and targeting the stumps intelligently.
His spell of 4/45 included three wickets in the last over — dismissing Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, and Naman Dhir — completely derailing MI’s hopes of a last-minute heist. Patidar was quick to shower praise on Krunal, calling him the “unsung hero of the match” and highlighting the significance of holding nerves during crunch situations.
Bowling Unit Seals the Deal
Defending a challenging target, RCB’s bowlers rose to the occasion. Krunal Pandya’s exceptional final over was instrumental, as he claimed three wickets, including those of Mitchell Santner and Deepak Chahar, finishing with figures of 4-45. Captain Patidar lauded Krunal’s bravery and execution under pressure, acknowledging the collective effort of the bowling unit in securing the win.
Post-Match Reflections
In the post-match presentation, Rajat Patidar appeared both proud and composed. He credited the team’s collective performance and strategic planning for the win. “We knew that if we took the game deep, we could defend this total. The bowlers stuck to their plans brilliantly,” he said.
Patidar also underlined the importance of faith and calm leadership, saying that trusting the players and rotating the bowlers with purpose made the difference.
Match Summary
- Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- RCB: 221/5 (20 overs)
- Virat Kohli: 67
- Rajat Patidar: 64
- MI: 209/9 (20 overs)
- Krunal Pandya: 4/45
- Result: RCB won by 12 runs
This win moves RCB further up the IPL 2025 points table and injects confidence into their campaign. With both their senior batters and bowlers stepping up, the Bengaluru side looks like a serious playoff contender this season. MI, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly as they find themselves in a tough spot early in the tournament..
Follow us on:
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cricbolofficial?sub_confirmation=1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cricbolofficial/
Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/cricbol
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PuzzillaOfficial/
