During the 14th match of the 11th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Mumbai, Mumbai Indians beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 46 runs. The visitors never really coped with up the required run rate in the chase.
After being put in to bat by Virat Kohli, Mumbai Indians had scored 213-6 in their allotted quota of 20 overs. In reply, the Royal Challengers could only manage 167-8 in 20 overs.
Now, we will look at the hits and flops players in this match.
Hits
Evin Lewis (MI) – Having opened the batting with Suryakumar Yadav, Evin Lewis saw his team losing two wickets on the first two balls of the match. That being said, the wickets seemed to have no aftermath on the West Indian opener, who stitched a 108-run partnership with captain Rohit Sharma. Lewis scored his maiden IPL half-century, 65 (42), with the help of six fours and five sixes.
Rohit Sharma (MI) – Officially slated to bat at No. 4, Rohit Sharma had to come in to bat on the third delivery of the first over after Umesh Yadav ran through the defences of Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan. Sharma was contended to see Lewis striking big blows during the initial phase of his innings. Once Lewis was dismissed, Sharma took the onus on him, registering his 33rd IPL half-century, 94 (52), with the help of 10 fours and five sixes.
Virat Kohli (RCB) – In the absence of Brendon McCullum, Virat Kohli took the added initiative of opening the batting. Playing the role of an anchor, he registered his 32nd IPL half-century, scoring 92* (62) with the help of seven fours and four sixes. Some of his shots were a treat to watch. What lets him down despite such a noteworthy innings was the lack of support from the other end. Literally, no batsman gave Kohli the assurance that he was perhaps looking for.
Flops
Washington Sundar (RCB) – A reputed all-rounder in the shortest version of the game, Sundar failed to stand tall on the expectations bestowed upon him in both the departments. Bowling first changes in the powerplay, Sundar conceded 19 runs in his first over. His next over saw him going for 13 runs. With overall bowling figures of 2-0-32-0, he wasn’t given another over. Promoted to bat at No. 6, Sundar failed to make any sort of impact with the bat as he ended up playing a lame shot to get out against Krunal Pandya. He ended up scoring 7 (8) with the help of one four.
Quinton de Kock (RCB) – Opening the batting with captain Virat Kohli, Quinton de Kock was required to share a stand of a considerable amount of runs in a bid to lay a foundation for the huge chase. de Kock got out in the fifth over, scoring 19 (12) with the help of two fours and a six.
AB de Villiers (RCB) – Batting at No. 3 in this match, a number ahead than at what he has batted in this tournament, AB de Villiers was expected to play a notable innings, especially after RCB had lost de Kock early. With Kohli looking in supreme touch, de Villiers had the option of taking time from his end. However, de Villiers also got out in the fifth over after he had pulled a short delivery from Mitchell McClenaghan to Hardik Pandya at deep square leg.
