The IPL 2026 clash between the Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru turned into a marathon contest on Sunday night, lasting four hours and 21 minutes. With soaring temperatures, frequent DRS reviews, and multiple injury breaks, the game stretched into the early hours, prompting fans to joke that it outlasted popular Indian films like Lagaan.
The extended duration became a major talking point, overshadowing even the high-scoring nature of the match. One of the key moments came during the 16th over of the Mumbai Indians’ chase, when RCB pacer Rasikh Dar required repeated medical attention.
The young bowler appeared to be struggling with cramps, leading to three separate visits from the team physio. The repeated stoppages didn’t go unnoticed, with former India captain Sunil Gavaskar expressing clear frustration on commentary.
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“If he’s struggling, he should be really going off the field. We had too much time wasted with these injuries,” Sunil Gavaskar said. “They are unfortunate, no question about it. Nobody gets injured on purpose, but the game needs a little more urgency.” “You go off the field, take treatment, and then come back. But this is the third time the physio has come in. Are we going to see this again and again?” he added.
The frequent interruptions also impacted the flow of the game, particularly for Mumbai batter Sherfane Rutherford, who was batting at the time. The West Indian admitted that the stop-start nature made it difficult to maintain rhythm.
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“That was the toughest part for me. Every time there’s a break, it disrupts momentum,” Sherfane Rutherford said after his unbeaten 71. “As a batter, you rely on rhythm. When the game keeps stopping, it becomes challenging to stay in control.”
Despite the delays, the match delivered plenty of entertainment, but also raised fresh questions about over rates and in-game time management in modern T20 cricket.
