Mumbai Indians (MI) managed to maintain their record of losing their opening game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 as they suffered a two-wicket loss against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the first game of the 14th edition of the tournament. As expected, AB de Villiers (48) helped RCB to chase down a target of 160 runs against the MI bowling line-up, and earlier, Harshal Patel bowled a brilliant spell of 5/27 which restricted Mumbai at 159/9 in their quota of 20 overs.

After being put in to bat first, MI started decently Rohit Sharma smashing an amazing six and a four before a mix-up with his partner cut-short his promising 19-run knock. However, Lynn played a brilliant knock of 49 off just 35 balls as he along with Suryakumar Yadav went after the RCB bowlers. Ishan Kishan was the only batsman who was comfortable in the middle in the last 10 overs as he scored 28 runs off 19 balls, but he also got a couple of lifelines.

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It was all RCB in the second half with Harshal Patel shining bright as he ended up with the magical figures of 5/27. With Devdutt Padikkal not playing, RCB played a punt on Washington Sundar to open along with Virat Kohli and the latter started with some glorious shots as the duo added 36 runs in 4.2 overs. However, Sundar and Rajat Patidar fell in quick succession and Glenn Maxwell arrived at the crease. 

Maxwell made a 52-run stand with Kohli before Jasprit Bumrah dismissing the RCB captain. Soon Maxwell became debutant Marco Jansen’s first IPL wicket and in no time, RCB was reduced to 106/5 from 98/2. However, AB de Villiers teed off superbly to churn out runs off Trent Boult’s last over for 15 runs to bring the equation in control.

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The 19th over from Jasprit Bumrah, Ab de Villiers churned out 12 runs and it brought down the target to 7 runs off the last over. There was still the last twist left in the game and De Villiers got run out with RCB requiring 2 runs in the last two balls. And the man of the moment Harshal Patel got them home off the last ball as celebrations started in their camp. However, one has to credit MI for making it a nail-biting game with the game finishing on the last ball. 

Hits

Harshal Patel

Despite conceding as many as 15 runs in his first over, Harshal Patel managed to churn out a brilliant spell of 5/27 as he got the prized wickets of Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, and Marco Jansen. He gave away just one run in the final over which helped  RCb to restrict a score of 159/9 in 20 overs.

Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell came out to be after the quick wickets of Washington Sundar and Rajat Patidar. After failing to smash a single six in IPL 2020, Maxwell managed to pull off a different side when he smashed a 100-meter six off Krunal Pandya in the 11t over. He played a match-winning knock of

Chris Lynn

Despite not playing a single game last season and playing the IPL 20221 tournament opener as a replacement of Quinton de Kock, who is serving his mandatory quarantine Chris Lyn played a valuable knock of 49 off 35 balls.

Flops

Yuzvendra Chahal

The Chennai pitch has always been known for assisting spinners, but Yuzvendra Chahal bowled a demoralizing spell of 0/41. He was the highest wicket-taker of RCB in IPL 2020.

Rahul Chahar

Similar to Chahal, Rahul Chahar was expected to do well, but the switch-hits of Glenn Maxwell against Chahar, derailed the leggie which gave away 43 runs without taking a single wicket.