Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Mumbai Indians by 18 runs at Wankhede Stadium, bolstering their title defense. Phil Salt's 78 and Rajat Patidar's 53 powered RCB to 240 for four, while MI fell short at 222 for five. The loss marks Mumbai's third straight defeat.
Mumbai Indians won the toss and elected to bowl first, but RCB's batsmen unleashed a fiery innings. Phil Salt smashed 78 off 36 balls, including three sixes against Mitchell Santner. Rajat Patidar raced to a 17-ball fifty and scored 53. Virat Kohli anchored with 50 off 38 balls, while Tim David added an unbeaten 35 off 16.
RCB posted 240 for four in 20 overs, the season's second-highest total. Suyash Sharma claimed 2 for 47, dismissing Ryan Rickelton for 37 and Tilak Varma. Alongside Krunal Pandya, they took 3 for 73 in eight overs.
In the chase, Sherfane Rutherford hit 71 and Hardik Pandya made 40 for Mumbai. Rohit Sharma retired hurt at 19 with a hamstring injury. Suryakumar Yadav scored 33, but Tilak Varma (1) and Naman Dhir (1) fell cheaply.
Former RCB owner Vijay Mallya reacted, "RCB namma Sinhagulu, Lions of Bengaluru." Hardik Pandya said the team would explore changes in batting and bowling. The win strengthens RCB's position, while MI faces pressure after three straight losses.
