Mumbai Indians are all but through to the IPL 2020 playoffs. On Wednesday, they rode scintillating performances by Jasprit Bumrah (3/14) and Suryakumar Yadav (79 not out) to defeat Royal Challengers Bangalore by five wickets at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Opting to bowl first, Mumbai Indians, playing without regular captain Rohit Sharma once again, restricted RCB to 164 for 6 and then reached home with five balls to spare.
Courtesy this win, Mumbai Indians extended their lead at the top with a tally of 16 points. Despite the loss, RCB (14 points) remain second by virtue of a superior net run rate while Delhi Capitals, also on 14 points, are placed third.
The start wasn’t bad at all for RCB, with Josh Philippe (33) — replacing Aaron Finch — batting well at the top with Devdutt Padikkal who top-scored with a fluent 74. Leg-spinner Rahul Chahar broke the stand by removing Philippe, and then Bumrah took over.
He first accounted for RCB skipper Virat Kohli, who turned out to be Bumrah’s 100th IPL scalp. Kohli, incidentally, was Bumrah’s first IPL wicket as well.
He picked up two more, including Padikkal, as RCB lost their way in the last five overs.
The Suryakumar show then followed. Mumbai Indians didn’t get off to a steady start in their run chase, but Suryakumar backed his instincts and abilities. Copybook shots, especially off Dale Steyn and Mohammed Siraj, with impeccable timing were the features of his knock that again reflected his progress as a batsman.
