Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by a margin of 18 runs in the ongoing Indian Premier League game.

RCB’s top order played to their reputation, scoring 240 in their allotted 20 overs courtesy of absolute brilliance from Phil Salt (78), Kohli (50) and Patidar (53) along with Tim David’s 16-ball 34 not out.

Batting second, Mumbai, with their star-studded batting line-up, managed to score 222, leaving a margin of 18 runs between the two sides.

From MI’s side, West Indian star batter Sherfane Rutherford scored a quick-fire 71 off 37 deliveries not out with a flurry of sixes (9) that reduced the margin significantly.

Chasing the mammoth 241, a top-heavy MI had an underwhelming power play which yielded 62 runs and by the end of it, they also lost Rohit Sharma (19 retired hurt) to a right hamstring injury.

Despite Surya Kumar Yadav replacing Rohit Sharma in the top order, it was Ryan Rickelton who scored the bulk of the runs with 37 in 22 balls, though the pace at which MI batters scored would only add further pressure on the next batters in the line-up.

Krunal Pandya, who looks in good form with the ball, was once again the pick of the bowlers for RCB with figures of 4-0-26-1. Earlier, half-centuries from Kohli, Salt and Patidar provided the impetus as RCB finished with a massive 240 for four.

Salt and Kohli put on 120 for the first wicket while Patidar and David produced rapid knocks in the second half to power the defending champions to a strong position.

While Kohli kept picking the odd boundary, it was his partner Salt who took the initiative to accelerate.

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