Picture Credit: IPL/BCCI
Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore finally ended their three-match losing streak in IPL 2021 by beating defending champions Mumbai Indians on Sunday night at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. On the other hand, Rohit-led MI are still longing to bag a game in the UAE edition of the ongoing tournament with the loss to RCB being their third on the trot.
Talking about the game, Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit opted to bowl first. RCB got a good start despite losing Devdutt Padikkal (0) when their score was only 7. RCB skipper Kohli scored 51 off 42 and stitched 68 runs for the second wicket with Srikar Bharat (32 off 24). Later, Glenn Maxwell's carnage (56 0ff 37) provided RCB the impetus, but Trent Boult (1/17) and Jasprit Bumrah (3/36) helped Mumbai come back in the game and restrict the opponent to 165/6.
In pursuit of a fighting total, Mumbai Indians were cruising at 57/0 in 6.3 overs. On the vert next ball, Quinton de Kock fell to Yuzvendra Chahal and it opened the floodgates for MI as none of their batters could stay at the crease for long. Harshal Patel's hat-trick towards the end put the final nail on Mumbai's coffin.
While the victory helped RCB retain the number 3 spot in points table, the loss saw Mumbai Indians slipping to the number 7 spot.