RCB’s thrilling IPL 2025 win over MI featured explosive batting, key moments, and standout performances from the Pandya brothers. A must-read match recap!
Was this game a 10-year fight for the Royal Bengal Tigers to win at Wankhede Stadium? Or the fight between the brothers, Hardik and Krunal Pandya? Let us jump into the highlights of what happened on the 7th of April between the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians, which took place at the iconic stadium Wankhede in Mumbai. This match honestly had it all—the moments that made you cheer with the crowd, the moments that made you angry, and those moments when you thought, this is it; this is the game-changing moment… And change happened, again and again, until RCB could finally win, a well-deserved win.
A Power-Packed Start by the Men in Red
RCB, with their team’s pride, Virat Kohli, determined to set the tone with a swashbuckling start in the Powerplay. The scoreboard changed into ticking rapidly as they raced to 50 runs in just 4.6 overs, showing their purpose properly from the beginning. It turned into an exciting partnership between Kohli and Padikkal that laid the foundation for what might end up being significant overall. Kohli, ever the aggressor, reached his half-century in only 29 balls, peppering the boundary ropes with sixes and fours.
At 6 overs or so, with a score of 73, it signified how well RCB had been playing, with Kohli (36) and Padikkal (32) in full flight. Padikkal, who had been looking good from the start, performed composed innings and set the stage for the incoming batter, Rajat Patidar, to blow up.
Patidar, a late replacement, showed his magnificence as he smashed a fast 50 off just 25 balls, which included 4 boundaries and 3 sixes. His competitive approach was exactly what RCB wanted to get into the one hundred fifty-run mark by way of the 14.5 over mark. But it turned into the energy-hitting of Jitesh Sharma (forty off 19 balls) within the death overs that saw RCB end with a big 221/5 in 20 overs.
It turned into a calculated yet explosive inning that had every RCB fan chanting their hearts out. RCB’s batting unit appeared unbeatable, with great support from the lineup, leaving MI with a mountain to climb.
The Pandya Brothers in Action
While RCB’s batting was the talk of the town, it soon moved to the Mumbai Indians’ all-rounder duo, Hardik and Krunal Pandya, who played the most important roles in the chase. Hardik, known for his calm and difficult-hitting skill, took the MI’s innings as he attempted to hold them in the hunt. From the moment he entered the field, Hardik and Tilak Varma had been trying to stitch together a partnership. The pressure was increasing, but Hardik’s ability to remain calm and take the team to a point where everyone thought MI could be the winners with him scoring 32 runs in just 7 balls.
However, it was Krunal who came in at the most important time, and even though his contribution wasn’t as explosive as Hardik’s, his stabilizing presence helped RCB take the crown. The efforts of MI weren’t enough to get them over the line, but they showed once more how vital the Pandya brothers are in the middle overs.
Hardik, in particular, showed why he is one of the most feared all-rounders in international cricket. His knock of 42 runs in just 15 balls was effective in seeking to hold the score increasing whilst the stress was at its top. Krunal, with his presence of mind, turned the table at last, though he gave away 28 runs while bowling against his brother during the middle overs.
Both brothers faced a few complicated moments, in particular at some point in the middle of the innings, as RCB’s bowlers kept the stress on with a few tight bowling changes and key area placements. But in this specific contest, MI’s chase looked like a close victory, but with regular wickets falling after Hardik’s dismissal, the dream was in vain for his team. It changed into one of those uncommon nights where the Pandya brothers’ brilliance for their teams played a huge role.
MI’s Struggles within the Chase
Mumbai Indians’ chase turned out to be continually going to be a tall order after RCB set a huge total, which was scary, honestly!. Early wickets fell with a bang, and Mumbai was at 54/2 at the end of the Powerplay. Even though their top order was out early, Hardik and Tilak Varma kept MI alive inside the chase with some superb strokes.
However, a sequence of unfortunate opinions and neglected possibilities made the middle order fall as well. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, on the other hand, achieved their game plan to perfection. With strategic player substitutions like Suyash Sharma coming in for D. Padikkal and the constant stress from their bowlers, MI was constantly on the lower back foot.
Despite the brilliance of Hardik Pandya and the promise of Tilak Varma, the chase failed when MI were reduced to 170 with the loss of 4 wickets at the sixteenth over.
Key Moments inside the Game
Several key moments in the course of the suit shifted the momentum in RCB’s direction. One of the standout moments came while Royal Challengers Bengaluru used their Impact Player substitution successfully. Suyash Sharma’s inclusion was most effective and reinforced their bowling attack, but also created essential breakthroughs at simply the proper times.
Another highlight was the selection of RCB to go for a ball exchange within the sixteenth over, which is allowed below playing conditions in case of a dew factor. This strategic move by using RCB’s control added a further layer of stress on the MI batters, making their chase even harder.
The final nail came when RCB’s fielding unit got to the leading edge. Tim David’s catch with Phil Salt became nothing short of a mind-blowing show, brushing off Deepak Chahar at the right time. RCB’s fielding, combined with sharp bowling changes and smart substitutions, earned them the victory.
RCB Seals Victory with Tactical Brilliance
At the end of the day, it was Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s all-around, overall performance that earned them a 12-run victory over Mumbai Indians. Virat Kohli’s blazing 67, along with Rajat Patidar, the captain of RCB, scoring 64 off 32 balls, made him the player of the match. Not to forget the terrific shots by Jitesh Sharma, who turned the game to a high score with runs of 40 and not being out till the last, RCB displayed a masterclass in how to set a goal and protect it with tactical brilliance.
The Pandya brothers’ fight, RCB’s disciplined attack, and amazing captaincy are some moments that will be spoken about for a long time. While Hardik faced another loss for MI, he showed his excellence as to why he is a captain. And without him, the chase would not have come so close to victory.
RCB’s victory in this interesting encounter proves that during IPL, the game can flip in and on the spot. And it’s the capability to play calm under stress that makes all the difference. With RCB firing on all cylinders, the race for the playoffs is only heating up! All of these matches can be seen live at Spinmatch.
What a sport! What a win!
