In Match 5 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) put up a dominating show and defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) at their home ground in M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday.
After being asked to bat, Mumbai started off their innings on a shaky note, losing skipper Rohit Sharma early for just 1 run off 10 balls. Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav tried to stabilize the innings, but they were unable to make a significant impact. However, Tilak Varma played a sensational knock of 84 runs off just 46 balls, including 9 fours and 4 sixes. His efforts, along with Nehal Wadhera‘s 21 off 13 balls and Arshad Khan‘s 15 off 9 balls, helped the five-time champions post a competitive total of 171/7 in their 20 overs.
In response, the Challengers got off to a solid start, with skipper Faf du Plessis and superstar Virat Kohli putting up a fantastic partnership. They both scored half-centuries, with Kohli leading from the front with unbeaten 82 runs off 49 balls, including 6 fours and 5 sixes, while du Plessis scored 73 runs off 43 balls, including 5 fours and 6 sixes. The duo formed a 148-run partnership for the opneing wicket which took the game away from Mumbai. Glenn Maxwell provided late flourish as RCB finished the match in 16.2 overs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Kohli and Du Plessis put on a wonderful exhibition of stroke-play.
But the foundation stone was set in the first few overs by the pace trio. There was a decent covering of grass and RCB took full advantage of it by extracting nifty movement off the pitch.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) April 2, 2023
Overall – Batters remaining Not out in successful run chases most times in IPL:
26 – Dhoni
25 – Jadeja
22 – Y Pathan
22 – D Karthik
20 – Bravo
19 – Kohli, ABD, Raina #IPL2023 #CricketTwitter https://t.co/9Eai3YwndV— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) April 2, 2023
Serious opening combination, they seem to feed off each other out there, what a treat to watch. #TATAIPL https://t.co/NxwgbzIlf8
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) April 2, 2023
Faf Du Plessis won the player of the match award.
Captain, Leader, RCB.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 2, 2023
Aaand we begin!
What a crowd…what an atmosphere! #RCBvMI #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/VxcrMod6qy— DK (@DineshKarthik) April 2, 2023
April 2nd, Ravi Shastri in the commentary box and a 6️⃣ to finish off a brilliant run chase.
A tribute to THAT 6️⃣ from MSD #OnThisDay 🥹#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2023 #RCBvMI pic.twitter.com/MIAq24u5gC
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) April 2, 2023
Kohli at 82* will always be special. Masterclass!
— Shivani Tanna (@shivanitanna9) April 2, 2023
Picture of the day!
King Kohli made Jofra Archer helpless! pic.twitter.com/TiSLlvN9DC
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 2, 2023
Kohli + RCB + Chinnaswamy is “magical three words” in the IPL. pic.twitter.com/BJQgYipF05
— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) April 2, 2023
NAMMA RCB !
RCB’s homecoming can’t be more special ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QKQV6rs7Bb— Yashvi. (@BreatheKohli) April 2, 2023