NEW DELHI: It was a Sunday of commanding performances in the Indian Premier League as Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans registered emphatic victories in their respective clashes, making it a double header packed with runs, records and momentum swings.
At the Wankhede Stadium, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli laid the perfect platform for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s 18-run victory over Mumbai Indians.
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Salt smashed 78 off 36 balls, peppering the boundary with six fours and six sixes, while Kohli anchored the innings with a composed 50. The duo put together a 120-run opening stand that set the tone for RCB’s imposing total of 240/4.
Captain Rajat Patidar then took the attack to another level, scoring 53 off just 20 balls, including a 17-ball fifty. Tim David added final fireworks with an unbeaten 34.
MI’s pursuit never found sustained momentum. Ryan Rickelton’s 37 provided an early spark but the innings suffered a blow when Rohit Sharma retired injured with a hamstring problem.
RCB tightened their control through Suyash Sharma, who removed Rickelton and Tilak Varma in a crucial over. A brief comeback by Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) was not enough and Mumbai slipped to 222/5, despite an unbeaten 71 at the end from Sherfane Rutherford.
Buttler and Gill lead the charge for Gujarat Titans
In the day game, Jos Buttler continued his return to form, leading the Gujarat Titans to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over the Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium.
Buttler scored 60 off 37 balls, hit 11 boundaries and shared an 84-run partnership with captain Shubman Gill, who made 56. The duo ensured that Gujarat chased down 165 with ease, finishing the job in 18.4 overs.
Reflecting on his form, Buttler admitted: “I’ve been through a rough patch in recent months but it’s good to be able to play some good games… I’ve been playing for 15 years and I know what to do when I come in.”
Earlier, pacer Prasidh Krishna produced career-best T20 figures of 4/28 to restrict Lucknow to 164/8, with Aiden Markram top-scoring with 30.
After two consecutive doubleheaders over the weekend, the action now moves to Hyderabad, where Sunrisers Hyderabad host top-ranked Rajasthan Royals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Monday.