RCB vs MI Highlights, IPL 2026: RCB win last-ball thriller in Raipur

Two down, eight teams still remain in the hunt - Right then, another week in the 2026 IPL comes to an end and we now have just a couple of more weeks of league stage action remaining. The points table is starting to get really congested in the middle, with all but two teams still vying for a top-four finish. We now head into the new week with the backdrop now switching to the scenic Himalayas as the Punjab Kings welcome the Delhi Capitals to Dharamsala for Match 55 of the season. That game will be played on Monday, May 11, and will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up. Cheers!

POTM - Bhuvneshwar Kumar gets the award for his fine spell of bowling - 4-0-23-4 and also that game-changing six in the final over. When asked what he will remember most from this game, Bhuvneshwar says the six he hit in the final over is something he will carry with him for a very long time. Says he enjoyed it the most. On what keeps motivating him, he adds that motivation is an overrated word for him, something that fades quickly. It is discipline, he says, that keeps him going. He credits his physios for keeping him in shape and acknowledges that there are surfaces where nothing happens for him, and surfaces where it does. He says the important thing is that he is getting enough match practice, having played the SMAT recently, and that has been enough to keep him in good touch. He admits that the levels are different in the IPL, but the camps during the tournament help him work accordingly and do what needs to be done.

The captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Rajat Patidar says his pulse is back to normal now after what turned out to be a very tight game. Calling it a great contest, the RCB skipper credits Krunal Pandya for winning the game for them, while also revealing that sending him in at No. 5 was a team decision. Patidar also heaps praise on Bhuvneshwar Kumar, calling his spell unbelievable on a two-paced surface. He says Bhuvneshwar’s control over the ball was superb and that the veteran seamer was extremely difficult to face on a pitch. Rajat says the team is not too bothered about the points table at the moment, adding that RCB’s mantra has simply been to play to their strengths and focus on playing good cricket consistently. Patidar admits that RCB did not deserve to win the match despite getting over the line, saying the side should have chased the target far more comfortably given the strength of their batting lineup.

The Presentation ceremony...

Bhuvi rips through MI's batting order - Earlier in the game, Rajat Patidar put Mumbai Indians into bat on a pitch that no one really knew much about. There was swing on offer and Bhuvneshwar Kumar made the most of it, reducing MI to 28/3 in just 3 overs. Then came the big stand between Naman Dhir and Tilak Varma as they added 82 runs for the fourth wicket and MI were back in it. However, the RCB pacers closed things out well at the death, picking up wickets at regular intervals, and that didn't allow Mumbai to cut loose when needed most as Bhuvi ended with a four-fer. In the end, MI managed to put on a middling score of 166 on the board, which was nearly enough in the end, but not quite.

RCB's stalwart with the bat has his say - Krunal Pandya says that he is delighted to contribute to the team's win. He reveals he was battling severe cramps throughout his innings, starting from his calf before spreading to his glutes and back. He laughs it off, admitting he does not usually bat that long. He says he loves tough situations and always prepares for them, and while he wanted to finish the game, he could not. He singles out Bhuvneshwar's shot as the shot of the match and reflects on the nature of the surface, saying it was a wicket where you had to apply yourself, grind it out and play proper cricketing shots rather than simply targeting bowlers. On his physical condition, he says the cramps were severe but hopes to be fine. He adds that he backed himself to handle the spinner and was batting well enough to take on. He mentions that as a batting group, they have been having conversations about trusting your instincts and taking on a bowler for all six balls if you fancy them. On his camaraderie with Kieron Pollard, he calls him his big brother and says his best six years in cricket came at MI. He gets visibly emotional, calls Pollard a terrific human being and the GOAT of the format, someone who won the trophies and games alongside the Pandya brothers as part of Mumbai's engine room.

Mumbai go down, but not without a real fight - Mumbai Indians might be out of the tournament, but it was a spirited performance with the ball tonight from them. Deepak Chahar got the ball to talk early on and picked up a couple of wickets as Jasprit Bumrah kept things tight. Corbin Bosch was the real wrecker-in-chief as he went on to pick up four wickets, most of them at vital stages of the game as well, but it just wasn't enough. AM Ghazanfar was a bit off color but did get a big wicket towards the end and unfortunately, Raj Bawa had to bear most of the brunt from the batters, including that final over, one he will feel, he nearly executed to perfection barring a couple of deliveries.

Let's now hear from the Mumbai Indians skipper - Suryakumar Yadav says Bawa has been working hard on his death bowling and has shown real improvement. He adds that the youngster has developed into a completely different all-rounder this year. Suryakumar feels MI were 10-15 runs short and believes they lost wickets at the wrong moments. Says the way Naman Dhir and Tilak Varma batted showed tremendous character, adding that the duo made the surface look like a completely different track. SKY mentions that the team will continue trying to put their best foot forward despite the difficult season. Admits MI are not used to being in such positions and says that this is a hard pill to swallow.

Bowlers win it for RCB - Things were set up brilliantly in the first innings for the reigning champions, thanks to Bhuvneshwar Kumar's four-wicket haul, but with the bat, it went all wrong in the Powerplay. This season, whenever RCB have lost 2 or more wickets in the Powerplay, they have gone on to lose, and they were 3 down for 39. This is when Krunal Pandya walked out to bat, and he steadied the ship, building a solid partnership with Jacob Bethell, but wickets started to fall again, and Pandya had to take a few more risks. He winced in pain as cramps started to take over, but he managed to conjure up 73 runs. And even that almost wasn't enough, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar hit an unreal six over covers, and then Rasikh Salam got bat to ball on the final ball and managed to complete the second run, taking the RCB over the line in a classic.

The Champions show their mettle - What a way to get back to winning ways and shoot to the top of the table from Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and in doing so, they have knocked out not just the Mumbai Indians but also the Lucknow Super Giants from the playoff race. In days gone by, this game would be termed as a thriller, but given the scores we see nowadays, this was certainly a low-scoring thriller, one for the ages, but sadly for MI, it ends in defeat, and their hopes of a sixth title in 2026 are done and dusted.

19.6: Raj Bawa to Rasikh Salam, Salam survives and RCB get home! Full and around off. Salam pushes it back to the bowler, but Bawa gets a hand on it and the ball deflects away towards long on. Both batters are quick to spot the opportunity and scamper for two. Corbin Bosch charges in and fires it back to the keeper, who collects and breaks the stumps. Salam flings himself into a dive and drags his bat inside the crease. The third umpire is called in to check for the run out. Salam had flung himself into a dive, and while the bat popped out of his hand on landing, it was in contact with the willow when he made his ground. The third umpire confirms it. What a dramatic end to an absolute nail-biter in Raipur. A low-scoring thriller, living worth the billing. RCB WIN BY 2 WICKETS. And with that, the Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants are officially knocked out of the playoff race.

Is that a run out? The RCB players don't think so, and they are swarming the field. The third umpire has a look and confirms that Rasikh Salam has put in a match-winning dive. The bat popped out of his hand, but it was in contact with the willow when he made his ground, and it will be NOT OUT.

19.5: Raj Bawa to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Slower one, across the right-hander, on a good length. Bhuvneshwar Kumar miscues it down to long off for a single. RCB need 2 runs from the last delivery!

19.4: Raj Bawa to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, SIX! JUST OVER! My word, he has cleared the ropes. A magnificent strike from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Fuller and wide outside off. Bhuvi gets forward and opens the face, slicing it over sweeper cover with an inside out lofted shot. The fielder leaps but the ball sails over him for six runs.

19.4: Raj Bawa to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, WIDE! Dear me! Slower bumper, but way, way too high over the batter's head. Bhuvneshwar Kumar lets it fly back to the keeper. Wide called. RCB need 9 runs from 3 balls.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar walks out to bat now.

19.3: Raj Bawa to Romario Shepherd, OUT! TAKEN EASILY​​! Raj Bawa has picked up the most important wicket for his side. Fuller this time and wide outside off. Shepherd is well outside his crease and looks to slice it through the off side, but gets nowhere near the middle of it. The ball flies off the toe end and is sliced straight to Varma at backward point, who leaps and takes it comfortably. RCB lose their 8th wicket.

19.2: Raj Bawa to Romario Shepherd, Well bowled! Stays around the stump and bowls a wide yorker, outside off. Romario Shepherd swings hard, but is beaten by a whisker on the outside edge. Romario Shepherd and Rasikh Salam converge for a chat to review for a wide, but they decide not to. A crucial, crucial dot ball from Bawa.

19.2: Raj Bawa to Rasikh Salam, Two Wides! The pressure is showing on Raj Bawa. Tries to keep it away from the hitting arc of the batter, but bowls it too wide, outside the tramline. Rasikh Salam swings and misses and the ball rolls back to the keeper. Ryan Rickelton releases an underarm throw to the batting end, but misses his shy and the batters complete the bye. 10 needed off 5 balls now.

19.1: Raj Bawa to Romario Shepherd, Oh, goodness! This just doesn't rise from a short length, outside off. Romario Shepherd swings with all his might to pull into the stands, but the ball stays underground and squirts off the toe end to deep mid-wicket for a single. 12 needed off 5 balls.

A change of bat for Romario Shepherd as he's chipped the toe end.

19.1: Raj Bawa to Romario Shepherd, Good execution this time! A wide yorker, outside off, Romario Shepherd fails to get under the ball and drills it back to the bowler off the toe end. Oh, dear! The buzzer of doom goes off in Raipur for MI. Raj has overstepped and it is a No Ball. A Free Hit coming up...

What a time to bowl a No Ball!

19.1: Raj Bawa to Romario Shepherd, WIDE! Bowls from around the stump, Raj pushes it wide across the batter, on a fuller length. Romario Shepherd stays put and throws everything left in the tank, but misses to connect. The ball breaches the tramline and it is called a wide.

Who will bowl the final over? MI have options in terms of spin and also a seamer in the face of Raj Bawa. It will be Raj Bawa to bowl the final over and try and defend 14 runs.

18.6: Jasprit Bumrah to Romario Shepherd, Pinpoint yorker around leg. Shepherd cannot get his bat to it again, and the ball clips the toe of his left boot and trickles down towards cover-point. A leg bye is taken, and Romario retains the strike.

18.5: Jasprit Bumrah to Romario Shepherd, This is world-class death bowling by Bumrah. Nails in another searing yorker around leg. Shepherd tries to jam it out but misses completely, and the ball clips his front pad and squirts away to the left of the keeper. Both batters fancy a bye and set off, but the keeper does well to collect it on the move and fires at the stumps, but misses. 

18.4: Jasprit Bumrah to Romario Shepherd, MI lose both their reviews! Bumrah spears it into the batter, on a fuller length, angling from middle to leg. Romario Shepherd gets a touch across in the crease and tries to work it across the line, but plays all over it and is hit on the front pad. A massive, confident appeal for LBW, but the umpire shakes his head. Bumrah is pumped up and wants it to be reviewed. SKY walks up to him to have a chat. Rickelton is a bit reluctant, but Suryakumar trusts his bowler and takes the review. UltraEdge shows no bat involved, and Ball Tracking shows that the ball is projected to miss the leg stump. So, the on-field decision is upheld.

18.3: Jasprit Bumrah to Romario Shepherd, Well bowled! Slower bumper from Bumrah, angled into the batter. Romario Shepherd ducks under it. The ball bounces in front of Ryan Rickelton, who does well to gather it. 16 needed off 9.

18.2: Jasprit Bumrah to Rasikh Salam, Length ball, around off, Rasikh runs it behind to deep third for a single only.

18.1: Jasprit Bumrah to Romario Shepherd, Full, tailing in on leg, Romario Shepherd flicks it to deep square leg for a single. 150 UP FOR RCB!

RCB needed 18 off 12 balls. Surely, Jasprit Bumrah has to bowl the 19th over, right? Yes, it will be Bumrah. Also, Rasikh Salam has come out to bat ahead of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

17.6: AM Ghazanfar to Krunal Pandya, OUT! TAKEN! Sensational athleticism by Tilak Varma and this game is far from being over. Full and around off. Krunal goes deep in his crease and looks to clear the boundary downtown, but does not get the timing right and hits it flat to the left of long on. Tilak Varma tracks it to his left and takes a stunning catch, but his momentum is taking him over the rope. He keeps his composure, flicks the ball back into the playing area before crossing the boundary. He comes back in and completes the catch. The third umpire has a look, and the replays confirm that it is a clean catch. Krunal Pandya walks back and is received with a huge round of applause by his teammates. But he would be gutted to have not got the job done for his side. RCB are 149/7, needing 18 off 12 balls.

Has Tilak Varma pulled off a stunning catch here? He seems confident, and if Tilak has pulled it off, then it's another big twist in this game. Replays show that, indeed, Tilak has done it, and eventually AM Ghazanfar does get the wicket of Krunal Pandya.

17.5: AM Ghazanfar to Krunal Pandya, SIX! Oh, my days! Krunal is down, flat on the ground, but he has dumped it into the stands. Shades of Maxwell vs Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup. Full and around off on a lower trajectory. Krunal gets down early and picks it up beautifully, and slog-sweeps it cleanly over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

17.4: AM Ghazanfar to Krunal Pandya, Short, on middle and leg, Krunal pulls off the back foot to deep square leg. He can't run due to cramps and the batters do not cross.

17.3: AM Ghazanfar to Krunal Pandya, SIX! Sprinkles salt on the wounds! A lot fuller, around off. Pandya clears the front leg and smokes it over wide long on for a massive six. 

17.2: AM Ghazanfar to Krunal Pandya, A big miss! Short and outside off. Krunal walks across and tries to belt it down the ground but gets nowhere near the middle of it. The ball loops up to deep mid-wicket, where Naman and Tilak converge from either side. Dhir gets to it first and takes the catch to his right, but his momentum is carrying him towards the rope. He tries to flick the ball back into the playing area, but Varma does not attempt to take the catch, believing that Dhir had touched the ropes. Instead of releasing the throw, Tilak got into a bit of an argument with Dhir, but thankfully for MI, the batters did not run.

What's happened here? First of all, did Naman Dhir flick the ball before his leg landed over the ropes? The third umpire is having a look. Tilak Varma didn't go for the catch as he felt that it was a six, but actually it wasn't. No six, no catch and no run taken either. Bizarre stuff.

17.1: AM Ghazanfar to Krunal Pandya, Oh, prodigious turn. Spins in from outside off, on a length. Krunal does not read the carrom ball, but manages to keep it out to the off side.

Time for Jasprit Bumrah? MI only have one over of Bumrah left and the other two frontline seamers are now bowled out as well, which means Suryakumar Yadav will have to find a couple of overs from elsewhere. There's another slight halt in play as Krunal Pandya continues to struggle with his fitness. The 12th man is out and Pandya has a bit of nutrition intake and is ready to go again. Also, it will be AM Ghazanfar to bowl the 18th over.

16.6: Deepak Chahar to Krunal Pandya, Closes out a superb over! Off-pace delivery, short and over off. Krunal pulls it to deep mid-wicket for only a run. Just 6 runs from Chahar's last. He is done with his spell, with figures reading 4-0-33-2.

16.5: Deepak Chahar to Romario Shepherd, Takes pace off, at 119.5 kph, this is dug in short, around off. Romario Shepherd slices the ball on the pull shot, and it goes on a couple of bounces to deep mid-wicket for a single.

16.4: Deepak Chahar to Krunal Pandya, In-between length, angling outside off. Krunal waits back and punches it along the ground to long off for just a single.

16.3: Deepak Chahar to Romario Shepherd, Slightly shorter, outside off. Shepherd knocks it off the back foot, through the cover-point gap for an easy single.

16.2: Deepak Chahar to Krunal Pandya, Half-tracker, around off, Pandya waits for the off-cutter to arrive and swats it on the bounce to the left of long on for a single.

Krunal Pandya has taken a blow to the body and is down on the ground with some pain. As he falls down, he seems to have pulled his hamstring as well, and the physio is out to have a look. A bit of a wait, but thankfully, Pandya is good to go again.

Game stopped due to : Play Halted

16.1: Deepak Chahar to Krunal Pandya, Ouch! That must have hurt. A deceptive slower ball, on a hard length, stays slightly low, on the leg stump line. Krunal Pandya is early into the pull shot and is well beaten before being hit on the stomach. Krunal is looking uncomfortable and is down on the ground.

16.1: Deepak Chahar to Krunal Pandya, WIDE! Not an ideal start. Slower bumper, at just 116.4 kph, over the head. Krunal walks forward, but decides to leave. Wide given for height.

Wow, what a contest we are having in Raipur. MI still believe. Romario Shepherd is the new batter in at 8. Deepak Chahar (3-0-27-2) to bowl out.

15.6: Corbin Bosch to Tim David, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Corbin Bosch goes bang, bang. A golden duck for Tim David. Cross-seam ball, bowled on a hard length, over middle. David swivels as he tries to pull it off the front foot, but the ball comes on slower than he expected. It grazes the toe end of the blade and goes behind, where the keeper, Ryan Rickelton snaffles it with ease. Bosch is done for the night, finishing with figures of 4-1-26-4. RCB need 36 runs from 24 balls.

Bosch has the last laugh. This game refuses to settle down in a straight line. With RCB needing 36 runs from 25 balls, Tim David walks to the crease at number 7.

15.5: Corbin Bosch to Jitesh Sharma, OUT! CAUGHT! Jitesh Sharma holes out. Bosch goes into the surface again but this is wider on off. Jitesh Sharma advances down the track again and is made to reach out as he looks to flay it over point. Ends up slicing it towards deep point, where Naman Dhir settles under it and makes no mistake. A good little hand from Jitesh comes to an end.

15.4: Corbin Bosch to Jitesh Sharma, SIX! Nicely done! Bosch bangs it in short, over off and middle. Sharma walks inside the line of the ball and uses the pace to hook it over the long leg fence for a six.

15.3: Corbin Bosch to Krunal Pandya, Falls well short! This is on middle. Pandya attempts the pull but the ball is not all that short. He mistimes it aerially and the ball lands well in front of Raj Bawa at deep square leg. Just a single.

15.2: Corbin Bosch to Krunal Pandya, Served on a back of a length at 142.8 kph, on off. Krunal Pandya shimmies down the track and flat bats it to mid off.

15.1: Corbin Bosch to Krunal Pandya, SIX! Krunal made it look so easy. Bosch hits the back of a length, on middle. Pandya picks up the length quickly and swings across with the angle. Pummels it over mid-wicket and it goes all the way.

Last 5 overs left. RCB need 49 runs to win. Corbin Bosch (3-1-13-2) is back on, replacing Raj Bawa.

14.6: Jasprit Bumrah to Krunal Pandya, Off-cutter, on a back of a length, on off. Krunal runs it down to deep third to pick up a single.

14.5: Jasprit Bumrah to Krunal Pandya, FIFTY FOR KRUNAL! From 32 balls. An outstanding knock from the all-rounder on a challenging surface. Time and again, he has shown his value to this RCB outfit, whether it be with the bat or the ball. Full and angled in on the off stump. Pandya has a heave across the line. It comes off the inner half and goes wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

14.4: Jasprit Bumrah to Krunal Pandya, Attacking the front pad with a good-length ball. Krunal tugs it to mid-wicket.

14.3: Jasprit Bumrah to Krunal Pandya, From around the wicket for the left-hander. Bumrah spots Krunal backing away and he follows him with a length delivery. Pandya does not pick the slower one and is slightly early into the stroke. Chips it away from Bumrah to his right. Sharma was keen for a single but was sent back.

14.2: Jasprit Bumrah to Jitesh Sharma, Fuller now, around off. Jitesh knocks it back past the bowler with a straight bat. It goes to the right of mid off and the batters cross over for one.

14.1: Jasprit Bumrah to Jitesh Sharma, FOUR! Top shot! Fractionally short and equally wide on off. Jitesh presses back and gets on top of the bounce. He punches it with a high elbow and the ball races past cover for a four.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Well, this is getting more and more interesting now. Unfortunately for MI, Raj couldn't back up a fantastic wicket-maiden bowled by Bosch. But you can't blame the youngster, as he hasn't bowled much in these situations in the IPL. SKY has trusted his pacers so far, with Jacks and Ghazanfar held back after bowling two overs each. In fact, MI have not even introduced Raghu Sharma into the attack as yet. So, a lot of tough decisions have to be made from Suryakumar Yadav. On the other hand, Krunal Pandya is playing a gem of a knock for his team, inching close to his fifty. And with two big hitters yet to come next, they would like to keep the tempo up with 57 needed off 36 balls. Alright, it's time for Jasprit Bumrah (2-0-10-0) now. Can he produce a wicket for his side here? Let's see...

13.6: Raj Bawa to Krunal Pandya, At 132 kph, on middle and leg, on a good length. Krunal Pandya brings his bat out in front and whips it past mid-wicket. Tilak Varma sprints to his left at long on and gets low to make the stop. He lays half a hand on it and the ball threatens to trickle behind into the fence, but Tilak recovers to prevent the boundary and keeps it down to two runs. Just the over RCB needed after the wicket maiden from Corbin Bosch. 16 runs off it.

13.6: Raj Bawa to Krunal Pandya, Wide! From around the wicket, an off-cutter, dug in short but it goes beyond the tramline on off. Krunal offers no shot.

13.6: Raj Bawa to Krunal Pandya, Wide! A proper bumper this time by Bawa but this is too high. Pandya lets it go.

13.5: Raj Bawa to Krunal Pandya, FOUR! Cracked away! Pace off and into the surface, over middle. Krunal stands tall and plays the pull off the front foot. Hits it all along the ground to the right of deep square leg for a boundary. 12 runs off the over with a ball to go.

13.4: Raj Bawa to Jitesh Sharma, Drags the length back and keeps it around the off pole. Jitesh dabs it behind point and turns the strike over.

13.3: Raj Bawa to Jitesh Sharma, SIX! Jitesh Sharma has had enough of ball watching. Fuller and at the sticks. Jitesh backs away to give himself room and swings through the line with mid off inside the circle. He tonks it way over the fence for a biggie. The 100 is up for RCB.

13.2: Raj Bawa to Jitesh Sharma, Six balls without a run for Jitesh. He will be starting to feel the pressure. Angled in on a back of a length, on middle. Sharma stabs it down on the strip.

13.1: Raj Bawa to Krunal Pandya, Down leg, on a short of a length. Pandya stays inside the line and shovels it wide of deep fine leg. Jasprit Bumrah moves to his right to cut it off. There is a slight fumble, but that does not cost MI an extra run. Just a single.

That was a sensational over from Bosch. MI are tightening the screws now. The asking rate is nearly 10.5. Raj Bawa (1-0-8-0) is back on.

12.6: Corbin Bosch to Jitesh Sharma, Wow! Superb stuff from Corbin Bosch. A wicket maiden. Bosch puts in a bit of effort behind this one. On a nagging length, on middle. Jitesh is taken aback as the ball kicks up but manages to fend it off. RCB need 73 runs off 42 balls.

12.5: Corbin Bosch to Jitesh Sharma, So far, so good from Bosch. Delivers it on a hard length, on off. Jitesh angles it in front of backward point and sets off for the run before being sent back by his partner.

12.4: Corbin Bosch to Jitesh Sharma, Hits the deck hard, on middle. The ball skids through a bit and stays a bit low but Jitesh blocks it out from the crease.

12.3: Corbin Bosch to Jitesh Sharma, Bosch goes slightly wide on the crease and pushes the length up, on middle. Sharma covers the line and defends it out.

12.2: Corbin Bosch to Jitesh Sharma, Bashes the hard length, over off. Jitesh stays back to keep it out.

Another massive moment in the game as Bethell falls. Jitesh Sharma is the next batter in at number 6. He has been short of runs this season and this is a huge opportunity for him to get the job done for his side.

12.1: Corbin Bosch to Jacob Bethell, OUT! CAUGHT! Jacob Bethell could not have picked out the fielder in the deep any better. Corbin Bosch strikes on his return to the attack. This is a length ball, angled into the pads. Bethell plays a wristy flick and has no intention of keeping it on the ground. He fails to pick the gap and hits it straight down the throat of Tilak Varma at deep square leg. Tilak seems to have lost the ball in the lights for a moment, but managed to hold on close to his chest eventually. The 55-run stand has been broken. RCB are 94/4, needing 73 runs from 47 balls.

RCB need 73 runs from 48 balls. MI are in desperate need of a wicket here to get back into the game. Corbin Bosch (1-0-13-1) is back on. He replaces Raj Bawa.

11.6: AM Ghazanfar to Jacob Bethell, Another single to end the over, 12 off it. Bowled from around the wicket and angled down leg. Jacob Bethell sits down and sweeps it down to deep backward square leg for a run.

11.5: AM Ghazanfar to Krunal Pandya, Floated full and on leg, eased down to long on for one more by KP.

11.4: AM Ghazanfar to Jacob Bethell, Nicely flighted, very full and on leg. Bethell looks to work it away but is beaten in flight, getting an inside edge onto the pads. The ball trickles away into the off side and they get a single.

11.3: AM Ghazanfar to Krunal Pandya, Dragged length around off, stays low as well and Pandya pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a run.

11.2: AM Ghazanfar to Krunal Pandya, SIX! Swung away over the ropes. Tossed up, much fuller on middle and leg, Krunal Pandya takes a step forward, and slog sweeps it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. This brings up the 50-run stand between Krunal and Bethell.

11.1: AM Ghazanfar to Krunal Pandya, Slightly quicker through the air, on a length and on leg. Pandya lunges ahead and clips it wide of deep mid-wicket for a single. The batters go for the second run as well and make it as the throw at the bowler's end is just wide. Had that hit, Behell might have been in trouble.

10.6: Raj Bawa to Krunal Pandya, Short of a length, angled across the batter. Pandya lets the ball come on and angles it towards backward point for a quick single. 85 needed now off 54 balls.

10.5: Raj Bawa to Krunal Pandya, Nice changeup from Bawa. A slower bumper, dug in well short and around leg. Pandya tries to come forward and pull it away but is well beaten.

10.4: Raj Bawa to Jacob Bethell, Slightly short and down leg, worked off the hips and down to deep backward square leg for a single.

10.3: Raj Bawa to Krunal Pandya, Back of a length and outside off, dabbed away wide of point for a single.

10.2: Raj Bawa to Krunal Pandya, FOUR! Stylishly done. Pitched up, around off, Krunal Pandya gets across a touch and gracefully lifts the ball back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

10.1: Raj Bawa to Jacob Bethell, Dug in short and angled into the batter, pulled away down to fine leg for a single.

Raj Bawa has been called into the attack. MI's 6th bowling option of the night.

9.6: AM Ghazanfar to Jacob Bethell, Fullish length outside off, hit away to the right of the deep point fielder for a single. 93 needed from 60 balls.

9.5: AM Ghazanfar to Krunal Pandya, AM Ghazanfar pulls the length back smartly and angles it in from outside off. Krunal Pandya gets a stride in and looks to play a late dab but the ball slides on and brushes the pads before rolling down to short third. KP looks for the run but is sent back as an appeal for LBW is turned down. There is also a shy at the keeper's end as Pandya scampers back but it is wide and ends up resulting in an overthrow. There is a review taken for LBW, but the impact is outside the line of the off stump. Not Out!

Review time. Ryan Rickelton thinks it is pad first, but he feels the impact could be outside the line. After a discussion, Suryakumar Yadav takes the review. The replays confirm it is pad first, but the impact is indeed outside the line. NOT OUT!

9.4: AM Ghazanfar to Krunal Pandya, FOUR! Too full again, and this time, Krunal Pandya puts it away. Tossed up on off, Pandya gives it a real thump as he swats it dead straight down the ground for a boundary.

9.3: AM Ghazanfar to Jacob Bethell, Stays around the wicket and flights it fuller on middle, drifting it in. Bethell looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads and the ball rolls into the off side for a single.

9.2: AM Ghazanfar to Krunal Pandya, Comes around the wicket to Krunal and floats it fuller on middle. Pandya strokes it through mid on and turns the strike over.

9.1: AM Ghazanfar to Jacob Bethell, A tad shorter, lands it outside leg stump. Bethell rocks back and hoicks it off the inside half of the blade and behind square leg for one.

STRATEGIC BREAK! The match is interestingly poised with RCB needing 102 runs in 66 balls on what has been a tricky surface to bat on. The dew does not seem to have settled in just yet, but as the ball loses its hardness, one feels the unpredictability of the pitch could ease slightly and make strokeplay easier for the batters. Krunal Pandya has looked busy since his arrival, and it is now about converting this start for both batters as RCB look to take control of the chase. AM Ghazanfar to bowl after the break.

8.6: Will Jacks to Jacob Bethell, Just another single for Bethell, who isn't able to convert his aggressive strokes into anything meaningful at the moment. Tossed up, full on leg, Bethell shimmies down the pitch again and drives it along the ground to long off for a run.

8.5: Will Jacks to Krunal Pandya, Another one that's floated up on the pads, Pandya works it 'round the corner on the leg side and picks up a single.

8.5: Will Jacks to Krunal Pandya, WIDE! Flighted one, full and down the leg side. Pandya fails to tickle it away.

8.4: Will Jacks to Krunal Pandya, FOUR! Swept hard and into the gap as well. Floated up on middle and leg, Krunal Pandya gets down on one knee and sweeps it firmly through square leg for a welcome boundary.

8.3: Will Jacks to Jacob Bethell, A bit quicker through the air, around off, and sliding on. Bethell rocks back and cuts it through backward point for one.

8.2: Will Jacks to Jacob Bethell, Tossed up, very full and angled into the batter. Jacob Bethell comes down the pitch, backs away and ends up squeezing it out to covers.

8.1: Will Jacks to Krunal Pandya, Jacks shortens the length and drifts into the pads. Pandya tucks it away to deep mid-wicket for one.

Halt! Krunal Pandya is receiving medical attention out in the middle. The physio is out there, helping him through a few stretches. Pandya is back on his feet and ready to resume.

Game stopped due to : Play Halted

7.6: Corbin Bosch to Jacob Bethell, In-angler bashed on a hard length. Jacob hops on the toes and eases it to square leg.

7.5: Corbin Bosch to Krunal Pandya, Extra bounce from a good length, on off. Krunal Pandya tries to block, but is hit flush on the stomach as the ball grazes his gloves. It rolls into the off side, and they hustle for a single. Bosch is constantly hitting those heavy lengths, which is making the batters a bit uncomfortable due to the variable bounce.

7.4: Corbin Bosch to Jacob Bethell, Hard length, in the channel, at 136.7 kph. Jacob Bethell guides it towards deep third for a single.

7.3: Corbin Bosch to Krunal Pandya, Oh, another mix-up, but the damage is averted. On a short of a good length, on middle. Krunal takes a baby step forward and tucks it in front of the short mid-wicket fielder. He charges ahead slightly for a single, but suddenly stops and seeing Bethell charge through, he hurries to get to the other end.

7.2: Corbin Bosch to Jacob Bethell, On a good length, just outside off, this is punched between cover and backward point for a single.

7.1: Corbin Bosch to Krunal Pandya, Needed a direct hit! Raj had one stump to aim at. Hard length, nipping in and around off. Krunal Pandya gets on the toes and dabs it to backward point and rushes through for a single. Raj Bawa picks up and throws in a motion but misses his shy at the batting end, allowing Bethell to scoot through.

6.6: Will Jacks to Krunal Pandya, Dropped short, on middle and leg, Pandya gets back and across before knocking it down to long on for a run. Only 4 runs from Jacks' first.

6.5: Will Jacks to Krunal Pandya, Well bowled! Floats it up, on a fuller length, sliding onto the pads. Krunal Pandya gets on the front foot to block, but plays over the line and is hit on the front pad.

6.4: Will Jacks to Jacob Bethell, Pulls the length back a bit, on middle. Bethell rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. Robin Minz, the sub fielder moves the other way, but is quick to make amends and stops it. A single taken. 50 UP FOR RCB!

6.3: Will Jacks to Krunal Pandya, Full and around off, Krunal shimmies down the track and drives it to long off for a single.

6.2: Will Jacks to Krunal Pandya, Sharp turn, from middle to off, at 86.8 kph. Krunal leans on and dabs it with soft hands to short third.

6.1: Will Jacks to Jacob Bethell, From around the stump, this is pushed through, full, on off. Jacob drives it away to deep cover for a single.

The Powerplay certainly belonged to MI and RCB now need 120 off 84 balls. With that said, Will Jacks is brought into the attack now.

5.6: Corbin Bosch to Krunal Pandya, Big swing and a miss! On a back of a length, wide outside off. Krunal Pandya does not move his feet at all, and has a waft at it, but the ball whistles past his blade. Not called a wide. RCB end their Powerplay with 47/3 on the board.

5.5: Corbin Bosch to Krunal Pandya, Huge nip-backer from off, on a hard length. Krunal Pandya is tucked up for space. Tries to block it down the pitch, but the ball takes the inside edge, deflects off the thigh pad and drops well in front of the first slip fielder.

It seems like the ball has been lost in the crowd and the fourth umpire is out with a box of balls. The batters are also having a closer look at it, but now the previous ball has been thrown back by the crowd, so no change of a ball for now.

5.4: Corbin Bosch to Krunal Pandya, SIX! Helped on its way! Bosch bangs it short and angles it at the body line of the batter. Krunal Pandya waits for it, swivels on the toes, uses the pace and pulls it over the long leg fence for a 77-meter six.

5.3: Corbin Bosch to Krunal Pandya, Angled across off, on a hard length. Krunal stays back and square cuts it away, but finds the backward point fielder midway. Sharp fielding by Raj Bawa there.

5.2: Corbin Bosch to Krunal Pandya, Off the mark right away! Back of a length, around off, Krunal steers it behind point for a couple of runs.

Three wickets lost inside the Powerplay and RCB are in big trouble now. Krunal Pandya is sent up the order, in at number 5.

5.1: Corbin Bosch to Rajat Patidar, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Perfect start for Bosch and problems are rising now for RCB. Corbin hits the hard length and targets the top of the stumps. Rajat Patidar gets across and tries to adjust to the bounce while attempting the pull shot, but only manages a thick top edge. The ball balloons up in the night sky over the keeper. Ryan Rickelton calls for the catch, calmly settles under it and takes a straightforward catch. The hosts lose their skipper and RCB are 39/3, needing 128 runs from 89 balls.

First bowling change of the innings as Corbin Bosch comes in to replace Jasprit Bumrah.

4.6: Deepak Chahar to Rajat Patidar, Straighter and fuller, just outside off, Rajat knocks it in front of the cover fielder and pinches a single.

4.5: Deepak Chahar to Jacob Bethell, Oh, nearly a catch! From around the stump, Chahar bowls a full ball, around the off pole. It holds on a touch and Jacob Bethell chips it to the left of the bowler. Deepak sticks out his right hand but the ball clips his fingers and rolls to mid off for a single.

4.4: Deepak Chahar to Rajat Patidar, Jags back in a touch, at 133.3 kph, on top of off. Rajat Patidar arches back and knocks it to deep point for a run.

4.3: Deepak Chahar to Rajat Patidar, FOUR! In the air but in the gap as well! Hard length, wide outside off. Patidar has enough room to free his arms and cuts it over cover-point for a boundary. That was a loose ball from Chahar.

4.2: Deepak Chahar to Rajat Patidar, This one nips in a touch, on a fuller length, on middle. Patidar lets the ball come in and then blocks it off the front foot.

4.1: Deepak Chahar to Rajat Patidar, On a back of a length, around off, Rajat camps back and punches it to SKY at cover.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru need 135 runs from 96 balls. Third over on the bounce for Deepak Chahar. 2-0-20-2 so far.

3.6: Jasprit Bumrah to Jacob Bethell, That has flown through! Bumrah digs it on a hard length, outside off. Bethell has the width to cash in but the ball sails over the flailing blade. There seemed to be a bit of noise as the ball went past the bat. Ryan Rickelton could not gather it cleanly but there was no edge.

3.6: Jasprit Bumrah to Jacob Bethell, Wide! Down leg, on the fuller side. Jacob misses out on the glance.

3.5: Jasprit Bumrah to Jacob Bethell, Two leg byes! Bumrah strays on the pads, on the shorter side. Bethell fails to lay any bat on the tickle. The ball catches the thigh pad and goes down to deep fine leg for a couple of leg byes.

3.4: Jasprit Bumrah to Rajat Patidar, In the corridor, on a short of a length. Rajat guides it to deep third and crosses over.

3.4: Jasprit Bumrah to Rajat Patidar, Wide! Dug in short, on middle and leg. Patidar ducks under it. Too high for the umpire's liking.

3.3: Jasprit Bumrah to Jacob Bethell, Opened him up! Bumrah continues to be a bit too short, on off. Bethell hangs back to deal with it, but the ball straightens to square him up. It goes off an outside edge to deep third for one.

3.2: Jasprit Bumrah to Rajat Patidar, Too straight again, a bit fuller this time. Patidar flicks it off the pads through square leg for a run.

3.1: Jasprit Bumrah to Jacob Bethell, Slanting into the hips, on the shorter side. Bethell attempts the tickle. The ball takes a bit of bat and goes down to deep fine leg off the thigh pad. Single taken.

Two big wickets for MI halfway into the Powerplay. And suddenly, 166 is looking like a pretty good total. In walks the RCB captain, Rajat Patidar, at number 4.

2.6: Deepak Chahar to Devdutt Padikkal, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! An absolute beauty by Deepak Chahar. Just too good for even the best of batters. From around the wicket, he lands it on a good length, in line with the off stump. Padikkal is caught in his crease and is forced to play at it due to the angle. The ball lands and nips away off the seam enough to graze the outside edge. The keeper, Ryan Rickelton, does the rest behind the stumps. RCB are 24/2, chasing 167.

2.5: Deepak Chahar to Devdutt Padikkal, SIX! Flayed away! Deepak Chahar moves away from the length that has been working for him. He bangs it in short and offers width. Padikkal flashes and flashes hard at it. It goes more off the outer half and flies over the deep third fence for a six.

2.4: Deepak Chahar to Devdutt Padikkal, A confident shout for caught behind but turned down! Deepak Chahar was the only one to go up.  From around the wicket, full and around off. Padikkal shimmies down the track to negate the swing. Ends up yorking himself and looks to squeeze it out but misses. The noise was of the bat hitting the turf and there was no bat involved.

2.3: Deepak Chahar to Devdutt Padikkal, Oh, that stayed low. Into the surface, outside off. Padikkal swivels to shovel it away but is beaten all ends up as the ball goes under his bat.

2.2: Deepak Chahar to Devdutt Padikkal, Going across, on a short of a length. Padikkal looks to glide it down to deep third, but there is a man at third slip, who cuts it off.

2.1: Deepak Chahar to Devdutt Padikkal, Lovely shape for Chahar. Full and swinging away from the left-hander. Padikkal shoulders arms.

Tidy start by Bumrah. He kept it tight, giving no room. Deepak Chahar to continue from the other end.

1.6: Jasprit Bumrah to Devdutt Padikkal, Bumrah hits the top of off, Padikkal hangs on the back foot and runs it down to deep third with an open bat face for a single.

1.5: Jasprit Bumrah to Devdutt Padikkal, In the channel, on a good length, nipping away off the seam. DDP makes a watchful leave.

1.4: Jasprit Bumrah to Jacob Bethell, Fuller now at 140.8 kph, at the sticks. Bethell brings his bat out in front to unleash the straight drive. He mistimes it to the right of mid on for one more.

1.3: Jasprit Bumrah to Devdutt Padikkal, A bit too straight and too straight as well, around leg. Padikkal nudges it square on the leg side and gets to the other end.

1.2: Jasprit Bumrah to Jacob Bethell, At 136 kph, on a short of a good length, on middle and leg. Bethell rises with the bounce to fend it off but the ball gets big on him to ping him on the bottom hand. It drops beside the strip on the leg side. They cross.

1.1: Jasprit Bumrah to Jacob Bethell, Off the edge? The men behind the bat go up belatedly, and seeing that, Jasprit Bumrah also goes up. The appeal dies down and the replays show that there was daylight between the ball and the bat. On a hard length, over off. Jacob stands tall to keep it out with an angled bat but the ball nips away to go past the bat.

Despite losing Kohli, this was a productive first over for the Royal Challengers. They need 153 runs from 114 balls. And here's MI's spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah.

0.6: Deepak Chahar to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! Padikkal is away. Swinging back in at the hips, on a back of a length. Devdutt walks inside the line and glances it neatly to deep fine leg for a boundary.

0.5: Deepak Chahar to Devdutt Padikkal, Beaten! Seam-up ball, on a good length, in and around the off stump. Padikkal looks to cover the line with a straight bat. The ball threatens to swing back in but just goes across the left-hander and has beaten DDP on the outside edge.

A huge moment in the game already as RCB lose Kohli in the first over. Chahar has spring in his steps, and why not? Devdutt Padikkal is in at number 3.

0.4: Deepak Chahar to Virat Kohli, OUT! CAUGHT! A golden duck for Virat Kohli. Back-to-back ducks for the chase master. Moving away in the air, on a length, outside off. Kohli springs onto the front foot and rather than timing it, he goes hard on the lofted drive. He tries to play it on the rise but the bat turns in his hands upon contact. It goes flat towards mid off, where Raj Bawa moves to his right and takes a good catch.

0.4: Deepak Chahar to Virat Kohli, Wide! Whoa, that went away a long way. Chahar pushes the length up but the line starts a bit too wide and it swings beyond the tramline on off. Kohli lets it go.

0.3: Deepak Chahar to Jacob Bethell, Drags the length back and the line is tighter, on the off stump. Bethell dabs it behind point from the crease and crosses over.

0.2: Deepak Chahar to Jacob Bethell, FOUR MORE! On the off side this time. Pitched up by Chahar, curving away from the left-hander. Bethell leans into the drive nicely and extends his hands to caress it through covers to pick up a boundary.

0.1: Deepak Chahar to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! Bethell and RCB are up and running! A gentle inswinger at 131.4 kph, on a good length, on middle. Bethell lets the ball come to him and brings his wrists into play. Clips it off the pads between mid-wicket and mid on to get going.

Welcome back for RCB's reply with the bat. The MI players are in a huddle near the ropes with SKY pumping up his lads. Now, they scatter across the park to take their respective fielding spots. Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethell are the two RCB openers. MI use their Impact Sub option as Rohit Sharma is subbed out, making way for Raghu Sharma. A Sharma swap then. And it will be Deepak Chahar who will bowl the first over. Bethell will take the strike. A slip in place for the left-hander. Off we go again...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

A big task ahead with the ball - Given how the MI bowling unit has struggled this season, defending this total is going to be quite a challenge for them against an in-form RCB batting unit. Jasprit Bumrah will have to bring their A-game and strike early. This ground does not offer much by way of history or data to lean on, but if the first innings was anything to go by, the ball is very much in the game here. With the surface offering nip and variable bounce, RCB will have their work cut out, and navigating the Powerplay safely will be their priority. All the ingredients are in place for a cracking run chase.

MI stumble in the last stretch - Just when MI were looking to shift gears, Rasikh Salam stepped in to break the 82-run stand and sent Naman Dhir back. Tilak was well settled at the crease but had to recalibrate after losing Jacks, and while he put together a mature and well-compiled half-century, he fell right after reaching the milestone. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rasikh were outstanding in the death, strangling MI at every opportunity and denying them the finishing kick they were desperately searching for, eventually restricting them to a middling 166.

Early slip-up followed by a rebuild - The surface had a bit of nip and touch hold to it, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar made full use of it. Ageless and precise, he picked off MI's three big wickets inside four overs, leaving them reeling at 28/3. Rohit showed some proactiveness but could not stay long, and SKY's golden duck only deepened the trouble. MI needed someone to hold things together, and Tilak, along with Dhir, answered that call. The two batted watchfully through the middle overs, navigating the variable bounce with patience, taking minimal risk and reconstructing the innings nicely. At the halfway stage, MI were 82/3, looking good to go.

The maestro of bowling is up for a chat - Bhuvneshwar Kumar slips on the Purple Cap. Shares that it is a tricky wicket, with a few deliveries coming on nicely while others challenged the batters. Bhuvneshwar adds that the team went in with a few specific plans and executed them really well. Speaking about the dismissal of Rohit Sharma, he says he anticipated Rohit might charge down the track, which is why he went with the knuckleball. Against Suryakumar Yadav, who was new to the crease, the plan was to keep it simple and bowl the normal length ball. Kumar says the length ball has been the most effective option on this surface. Bhuvi feels the dew could hand RCB an advantage in the chase. Opines that batters who focused on timing the ball rather than trying to muscle it did well on this surface. He backs his batters to chase down this total.

Strong finish with the ball - Excellent execution of plans from RCB towards the backend. They just conceded 17 runs in the last 3 overs and prevented MI from a strong finish. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the orchestrator of it all, picking up a four-wicket haul on a two-paced surface, trumping everyone else on the park. He just keeps getting better and better with time, and that is why he is counted as one of the IPL greats. MI would feel they left a few runs out there, as they kept losing wickets at crucial stretches of the innings that kept derailing any momentum they tried to build. This was never a 200-plus surface, but the position they were in through the 17th over suggested a total somewhere in the 180 territory was well within reach.

19.6: Rasikh Salam to Deepak Chahar, Perfect finish from Rasikh Salam! He bowls the slower bumper, on middle, Deepak Chahar uses his feet and swings at it but misses. The batters do not bother to take the bye. However, Chahar takes the review for a wide. As soon as the replay comes up, the players start to make their way out, as they pretty much know the outcome of the review. Ball Tracking confirms that the ball is below the head of the batter and it is a fair delivery. Mumbai Indians finish on 166/7!

19.5: Rasikh Salam to Corbin Bosch, Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Corbin Bosch pulls it away through mid-wicket for just one.

19.4: Rasikh Salam to Corbin Bosch, So far, so good from Rasikh Salam! Pace off, good length and just outside off, keeps very low, almost hugs the ground. Corbin Bosch slashes at it but gets nowhere near it.

19.3: Rasikh Salam to Corbin Bosch, Hard length and on middle, slower as well, Corbin Bosch whips it away towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

19.2: Rasikh Salam to Deepak Chahar, Fuller and on middle, angles in, Deepak Chahar heaves it away to deep square leg for a run.

19.1: Rasikh Salam to Corbin Bosch, Back of a length and on middle, Corbin Bosch pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Out goes Raj Bawa and in walks Deepak Chahar. It will be Corbin Bosch on strike at the start of the over. Rasikh Salam will close out the innings for RCB. 3-0-37-1 so far for Salam.

18.6: Josh Hazlewood to Raj Bawa, OUT! CAUGHT! Josh Hazlewood finishes his spell with a wicket. He looks for the yorker, but serves a low full toss, on middle. Raj Bawa looks to go down the ground but cannot quite get under it. His bat turns in his hands, and he ends up spooning it towards mid off, where Rajat Patidar takes a dolly. MI are 161/7 now.

18.5: Josh Hazlewood to Corbin Bosch, Short of a length and angling down the leg side, Corbin Bosch looks to help it away but gloves it behind. Jitesh Sharma, the keeper, dives to his left and gets a good glove on it to make the stop. Just one.

Halt! The physio is out to perform the concussion check. The test is complete, and Raj Bawa is fine to continue.

18.4: Josh Hazlewood to Raj Bawa, An off-cutter, dug into the surface, on middle, kicks off a bit. Raj Bawa looks to pull but takes his eyes off the ball. It brushes his glove before clattering onto the helmet and rolls behind. They cross.

18.3: Josh Hazlewood to Raj Bawa, Excellent yorker, on middle, tailing away, Raj Bawa digs it back to the bowler.

18.2: Josh Hazlewood to Raj Bawa, Back of a length and into the body of the batter, Raj Bawa takes his bottom hand off and tucks it towards square leg. He strolls for the single, but seeing that no one is near the ball, decides to take the second and makes it.

18.1: Josh Hazlewood to Raj Bawa, Fuller one and on middle, Raj Bawa swipes it off the inner half of the bat to deep mid-wicket for a brace.

A crucial wicket for RCB as Bhuvi continues his magic effortlessly. That could potentially take a few runs off the total. Corbin Bosch is the new batter in. Josh Hazlewood (3-0-27-0) will bowl the penultimate over.

17.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tilak Varma, OUT! DRAGGED ON! Bhuvneshwar Kumar has four to his name now. He sees the batter move across and bowls this wide outside off. Tilak Varma knows that fine leg is up in the circle, goes down and across to scoop it away. He takes it on the full, but unfortunately, it catches the inside edge and crashes back onto the stumps, with Varma on the ground. Rohit Sharma is very disappointed in the dugout.

17.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Raj Bawa, A full toss, on the pads, Raj Bawa flicks it away to deep mid-wicket for one.

17.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Raj Bawa, Good length and on middle, Raj Bawa stabs it back to the bowler.

17.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tilak Varma, Nails the yorker this time, on off, Tilak Varma jams it out off the toe-end of the bat towards mid-wicket for a run.

17.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tilak Varma, FOUR! Connects this time! Bhuvi misses the yorker just by an inch, serving a low full toss, under the bat. Tilak Varma is quick to get his hands through and thumps it back past the bowler for a boundary. 150 UP FOR MI.

17.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tilak Varma, A slower one, full and outside off, keeps it inside the tramline, Tilak Varma has a slash at it but misses.

Righto, last 3 overs to go. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3-0-17-3) will bowl out. He replaces Romario Shepherd.

16.6: Rasikh Salam to Raj Bawa, Make that four twos in the over! A dipping low full toss, on middle, Raj Bawa drills it down the ground wide of long on for a brace. 13 runs off the over!

16.5: Rasikh Salam to Raj Bawa, Pace off, full and on leg, Raj Bawa clips it with soft hands towards the vacant square leg region and comes back for the second. Third double of the over.

16.4: Rasikh Salam to Raj Bawa, Much fuller and around off, Raj Bawa drives it firmly towards sweeper cover for a couple of runs.

16.3: Rasikh Salam to Tilak Varma, Back of a length and on middle, Tilak Varma tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

16.2: Rasikh Salam to Tilak Varma, FOUR! FIFTY FOR VARMA! Off 37 balls. This is his 9th IPL fifty. A fantastic knock from him, and it has come when his team needed it. Now, he will look to accelerate even more, like we have seen before, when he scored the ton against GT. Short of a length and outside off, Tilak Varma gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it through point for a boundary.

16.1: Rasikh Salam to Tilak Varma, Slower one, on a length and on leg, Tilak Varma nudges it through mid-wicket and runs the first one hard. He sees that Devdutt Padikkal is just a bit lazy to get to the ball and hurries back for the second. Good running!

Good over from Shepherd. He has been pretty economical this evening. Rasikh Salam (2-0-24-1) returns into the attack, replacing Josh Hazlewood.

15.6: Romario Shepherd to Raj Bawa, FOUR! Nicely done! Banged into the pitch, on middle. Raj Bawa bends his back to sway away from the line of it and ramps it over the keeper's head for a boundary. Still, just 5 runs and a wicket off the over.

15.5: Romario Shepherd to Raj Bawa, On a length and on middle, Raj Bawa steps across and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

15.4: Romario Shepherd to Raj Bawa, Slightly fuller in length, outside off, Raj Bawa throws his hands at it but fails to connect.

15.3: Romario Shepherd to Raj Bawa, Back of a length and on middle, angling into the batter, Raj Bawa blocks it back to the bowler.

STRATEGIC BREAK​​​​​​! Another budding partnership is broken by RCB at a very crucial time. They have executed their lines and lengths to perfection so far. Most of their deliveries have finished on the stumps, giving the MI batters very little room to free their arms. MI will bank on Tilak Varma to bat till the end and push the score beyond that 180-run mark. He is closing in on his fifty and the onus is on him to provide a strong finish. Raj Bawa is the new batter in for MI at number 7.  Now then, RCB use their Impact Sub option by bringing in Devdutt Padikkal, while Suyash Sharma is subbed out.

Suyash Sharma is substituted by Devdutt Padikkal

15.2: Romario Shepherd to Will Jacks, OUT! CAUGHT! Romario Shepherd strikes a crucial blow for his side. He serves this a touch fuller, on middle and angling in a bit. Will Jacks backs away and looks to hit it through the line, but his bat turns in his hands upon contact. It goes off the bottom half of the bat and flies towards deep mid-wicket, where Jacob Bethell moves forward and takes a fine catch. MI lose half their side now, with 132 runs on the board.

15.1: Romario Shepherd to Tilak Varma, Hard length and on middle, angling in, Tilak Varma pats it down to long on for a single.

14.6: Josh Hazlewood to Will Jacks, Hazlewood bends his back and digs it in short, over middle. Jacks stands tall on top of the bounce and pulls it along the ground towards wide long on. Krunal Pandya sprints to his right and makes a tumbling stop, saving a couple of runs for his side.

14.5: Josh Hazlewood to Will Jacks, Keeps it on a back of a length, on middle and leg. Jacks backs away to open up the off side. He punches well but can't beat backward point.

14.4: Josh Hazlewood to Will Jacks, Attacking the front pad with a good-length delivery. Will wrists it to mid-wicket.

14.3: Josh Hazlewood to Will Jacks, Into the surface, over middle. Jacks chips it a bit uppishly off the back foot to the right of mid-wicket. Virat Kohli goes after it and slides before getting rid of the ball quickly but he cannot prevent the second run.

14.2: Josh Hazlewood to Tilak Varma, Angled in into the left-hander, on a good length. Varma pushes it in front of mid on and hurries to the other end.

14.2: Josh Hazlewood to Tilak Varma, Was there an edge? Jitesh Sharma seems to have heard something but there is no reaction from Josh Hazlewood. Rajat Patidar eventually opts against the review. Cross-seam, angled down leg, on a back of a length. Varma walks across for the scoop but misses as the ball goes behind to the keeper. The ball passed close to the gloves but the UltraEdge shows a flat line.

14.1: Josh Hazlewood to Tilak Varma, Hits the good length, on middle and leg. Tilak stabs it down on the leg side.

Josh Hazlewood is back on.

13.6: Suyash Sharma to Tilak Varma, Suyash pushes it through at 96.7 kph, and the length stays short, on off. This kicks up a bit, but Tilak adjusts well to knock it through mid on for a run.

13.5: Suyash Sharma to Will Jacks, Drops it short, on off. Jacks taps it to long on and gets to the other end.

13.4: Suyash Sharma to Tilak Varma, From around the wicket now, short and flat, on off. Tilak chops it down in front of point. They cross.

13.3: Suyash Sharma to Tilak Varma, SIX! Tilak Varma goes big! Looped up by Suyash, on middle and leg. Tilak needs no second invitation as he drops to a knee quickly and clobbers it over mid-wicket for half a dozen.

13.2: Suyash Sharma to Will Jacks, Flighted delivery, full and on off. Jacks eases it to long on for one.

13.1: Suyash Sharma to Tilak Varma, Serves the googly, on a good length, on middle. Tilak works it to deep mid-wicket for one.

12.6: Rasikh Salam to Will Jacks, FOUR! Edged away! Fractionally short, outside off. Will has a poke at it and the ball goes off the outside edge, beating the diving keeper to his right for a boundary.

12.5: Rasikh Salam to Will Jacks, Beaten! On a hard length, in the channel. Jacks has a waft at it and is beaten on the outside edge.

12.4: Rasikh Salam to Will Jacks, Full and in line with the off stump. This is pushed to cover.

A timely wicket for RCB with a bit of fortune. Will Jacks walks out to bat now.

12.3: Rasikh Salam to Naman Dhir, OUT! TIMBER! Whoa, that shot through, and there is nothing Naman Dhir could have done about it. Cross-seam ball by Salam angled in at the sticks, on a back of a length, on middle. Dhir moves away from the stumps to force it away with a horizontal bat. The ball does not rise at all and slips under the bat to crash into the lower half of the leg stump. The 82-run stand has been broken. MI are 110/4 now.

12.2: Rasikh Salam to Naman Dhir, FOUR! Finesse this time from Dhir. Pace on now at 132.6 kph, on a short of a good length, over off. Naman hangs back and uses the pace to steer it with an open bat face between short third and backward point. Jacob Bethell goes after it but the ball wins the race. Bethell avoids crashing into the advertising boards by hopping over them.

12.1: Rasikh Salam to Naman Dhir, FOUR! Crunched away! Salam starts with the off-pace delivery, bowled on a good length. Dhir gets the width to free his arms and he slams it all along the ground to the left of extra cover.

Rasikh Salam replaces Romario Shepherd.

11.6: Krunal Pandya to Naman Dhir, Sliding on with the arm, on a nagging length at the sticks. Dhir hops and punches it to long off for another single.

11.5: Krunal Pandya to Tilak Varma, Keeps it nice and full, on middle. Varma pushes it to long on and turns the strike over.

11.4: Krunal Pandya to Naman Dhir, Full and on middle and leg, this is worked towards backward square leg for a run. The 100 comes up for MI.

11.3: Krunal Pandya to Tilak Varma, Flatter and shorter, pushed across. Varma goes for the cut. Ends up chopping it and the ball bounces over the keeper for a single.

11.2: Krunal Pandya to Tilak Varma, SIX! That has gone into the stands! Floated up at 81 kph, a bit too full, on middle and leg. Tilak Varma gets down on a knee and plays the slog sweep over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

11.1: Krunal Pandya to Naman Dhir, Speared in on a length, following the batter. Naman flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

10.6: Romario Shepherd to Naman Dhir, Good comeback from Romario Shepherd after conceding a six on the first ball. Hits the back of a length, on off and middle. Naman gets on top of the bounce and clips it through mid-wicket for one more. 9 runs off the over. 

10.5: Romario Shepherd to Tilak Varma, Darted in at the hips, on a back of a length. Varma turns it through square leg and gets to the other end.

10.4: Romario Shepherd to Tilak Varma, Goes wide on the crease on the around-the-wicket angle. Bashes the hard length, over off. Tilak arches back and steers it to backward point.

10.3: Romario Shepherd to Naman Dhir, Following the batter, on a good length. Naman whips it to wide long on and crosses over.

10.2: Romario Shepherd to Naman Dhir, Better from Romario. Hits the top of off, Naman punches it on the up to cover.

10.1: Romario Shepherd to Naman Dhir, SIX! Romario Shepherd is welcomed back with a biggie. Cross-seam ball banged into the surface, on middle and leg. This comes just around the waist and Dhir nails the pull over deep square leg for a six.

9.6: Krunal Pandya to Naman Dhir, Not that short, pushed through on the leg stump line. Naman Dhir goes on the back foot and pulls it to deep square leg for a run. At halfway, MI are 82/3.

9.5: Krunal Pandya to Tilak Varma, A bit round-armish, at 101.6 kph, short outside off. Tilak Varma hangs back and heaves it through mid-wicket for a single.

9.4: Krunal Pandya to Naman Dhir, At 99.1 kph, full, around off, Dhir drives it to long off for a single.

9.3: Krunal Pandya to Tilak Varma, Pitched fuller, on the leg stump line. Tilak Varma flicks it nicely between long on and deep mid-wicket for a run.

9.2: Krunal Pandya to Tilak Varma, Short, across the left-hander, Tilak presses back and cuts it wide of backward point for a couple of runs. Bethell, the sweeper on the off side, cuts it off in the deep to his right. This brings up the 50-run partnership between Tilak and Naman.

9.1: Krunal Pandya to Naman Dhir, The in-drifter on a length, on leg. Naman Dhir gently taps it across to deep mid-wicket for a single. They look to pinch in the double, but it's not on.

8.6: Suyash Sharma to Naman Dhir, Stump-to-stump, smidge fuller and on middle and leg. Naman Dhir works this googly down to long on for a single.

The physio rushes out for Naman Dhir, and the umpires use this stoppage to call for the Strategic Break. MI have managed to get a partnership going after the initial blows in the Powerplay. With this being the first game of the season in Raipur, there were plenty of unknowns around the surface, and it has turned out to be a challenging pitch to bat on. Apart from the variable bounce, the odd ball has also held up on the batters, making it difficult for them to trust the surface and hit through the line. On such pitches, bowling sides can easily end up going searching for wickets, and from RCB's perspective, the key will be to keep things simple and keep the stumps in play as much as possible.

8.5: Suyash Sharma to Naman Dhir, Quicker one, a googly, short on off, skids through at 98.1 kph. Naman Dhir is hurried on the pull shot, but inside edges on the back pad and it rolls to point.

8.4: Suyash Sharma to Naman Dhir, SIX! Clean strike! He is getting nicely settled out there. Suyash drops it on a fuller length, around off and middle. Naman Dhir picks the length nicely, plants the front foot ahead with a big stride and smokes it over long on for a cracking six.

8.3: Suyash Sharma to Tilak Varma, Dishes out the googly, short and outside off. It stays a tad low and Tilak punches it to mid off for a run.

8.2: Suyash Sharma to Naman Dhir, Pushed through, full and outside off. Dhir lunges forward and eases the drive to deep extra cover for a single.

8.1: Suyash Sharma to Tilak Varma, Nicely tossed up, full and just outside off. Varma drills it along the ground to long on for a run.

It will be spin from both ends as Suyash Sharma comes on. A slight hold-up as the physio is out to attend to Tilak Varma.

Game stopped due to : Play Halted

7.6: Krunal Pandya to Tilak Varma, Quicker through the air, touch short on middle. Tilak Varma plays with the spin and steers it to the deep mid-wicket for a single. Moving ahead steadily, are MI. The partnership between these two now reads 37 runs.

7.6: Krunal Pandya to Tilak Varma, WIDE! Geez, that's a projectile from Krunal. At 118.8 kph, this is short and it flies over the batter's head. Tilak looks to ramp it over the keeper and misses. Jitesh leaps a bit to grab it over his head. Wide called.

7.5: Krunal Pandya to Naman Dhir, Pushed fuller, around off. Dhir leans on and drives it inside-out through wide mid off for a single.

7.4: Krunal Pandya to Tilak Varma, Slows it up, pitching it outside leg, on a length. Varma plays off the back foot and nudges it softly to the mid-wicket region for a run.

7.3: Krunal Pandya to Tilak Varma, Short and across off, this is guided to backward point.

7.2: Krunal Pandya to Tilak Varma, Overthrows! Tossed up, on middle, on a fractionally fuller length. Tilak dinks it into the deep mid-wicket region and crosses for a single. Virat Kohli scores a direct hit at the batting end, and the ball deflects away to the off side. With the backup fielder a bit too wide there, they cross over for the second run as well.

7.1: Krunal Pandya to Tilak Varma, Good running! Begins from around the stumps and lands it on a length, on leg. Tilak turns it to the right of square leg and they charge back for the second run.

First look at spin as Krunal Pandya comes into the attack. Drinks came on between overs for the two batters, seemingly without the umpires' permission, and the officials were quick to step in and send them back.

6.6: Romario Shepherd to Tilak Varma, Angles it onto the pads, on a length. Tilak works it to the square leg region for a single. Tidy start for Shepherd. Just 4 runs from his first.

6.5: Romario Shepherd to Naman Dhir, Hard length, around off, steered off the back foot into the cover-point gap for a quick run.

6.4: Romario Shepherd to Tilak Varma, Bangs it in from around the stump, using the wider angle. Slants it into the batter and generates good bounce. Tilak is hurried on the pull shot, gets the top edge but it lands safely in the short fine leg region. Jitesh runs to his right and collects it. One taken.

6.3: Romario Shepherd to Tilak Varma, Nagging length, on off, punched off the back foot to cover.

6.2: Romario Shepherd to Tilak Varma, Oh, the spitting cobra! Kicks up from a good length, on top of off. Tilak Varma has no answer to the extra bounce and is forced onto the back foot. He fends it off the splice with soft hands, and the ball rolls back to the bowler on the bounce.

6.1: Romario Shepherd to Naman Dhir, Short of a length, on middle, Dhir short-arm jabs it to deep mid-wicket's right for a single.

Done with the Powerplay. Romario Shepherd has been called into attack.

5.6: Rasikh Salam to Tilak Varma, Another off pace delivery that stays low, on a length, outside off. Tilak tries to run it away to the third man region, but misses. At the end of the Powerplay, MI are 53/3.

5.5: Rasikh Salam to Tilak Varma, Dropped! Oh, dear! That was a routine chance and Suyash Sharma has shelled it. Rasikh did all the tricks to get that scalp, but it wasn't to be. Slower and short of a length on the leg stump. Tilak charges down the track, looking to go big, but the change of pace does him in completely. He can only top edge it to Suyash at mid-wicket. Suyash runs across to his left, decides to dive for it, and makes a complete mess of what should have been a straightforward chance as the ball bursts through. Two taken.

5.4: Rasikh Salam to Naman Dhir, At 135.1 kph, short on middle. Dhir miscues the pull shot but it lands on the bounce in front of Jacob Bethell at deep square leg. One taken. 

5.3: Rasikh Salam to Naman Dhir, FOUR! Runs away! A bit of extra bounce on it, as this is bashed on a good length, angled at the pads. Naman Dhir uses his wrists and pace to guide the ball to the deep fine leg fence for a boundary. 50 UP FOR MI!

5.2: Rasikh Salam to Tilak Varma, On a length, on middle and leg. Varma nudges it off the back foot to the mid-wicket region for a quick run.

5.1: Rasikh Salam to Tilak Varma, FOUR! A schoolboy error from Shepherd which costs RCB a boundary! Back of a length, just around off. Tilak presses back and crisply punches it to cover. Romario Shepherd moves a bit too much to his right, and the ball spins the other way to race away to the fence.

Change? Yup. Here's Rasikh Salam into the attack for the last over of the Powerplay, replacing Josh Hazlewood. 

4.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Naman Dhir, Fuller and coming back in, on middle and leg. Naman wrists it to mid-wicket.

4.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Naman Dhir, FOUR! Lovely shot! Bowled on a good length, on the off stump at 136.3 kph. Dhir lets the ball come to him and plays it right under his eyes. He extends his hands and just punches it neatly through covers for a boundary.

4.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tilak Varma, Fuller and attacking the front pad, Varma brings his bat out in front and pats it in front of mid on for a single.

4.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tilak Varma, Bhuvi switches to over the wicket, angling away and the length is pulled back. Tilak shimmies down the track and stays leg side before guiding it wide of backward point for a couple of runs.

4.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tilak Varma, Fuller and on off, Tilak keeps it out with his bat close to the front pad.

4.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tilak Varma, Nearly a hat-trick! From around the wicket, on a back of a length, just outside the off stump. This angles in before leaving Tilak off the deck. Varma presents a straight bat for the block but is beaten.

Will Bhuvneshwar Kumar continue? Yes, surely will. 2-0-10-3 so far are his bowling figures. He has 20 wickets now this season, and has snatched the Purple Cap from Anshul Kamboj of CSK.

3.6: Josh Hazlewood to Naman Dhir, Much better from Hazlewood. Delivers it on a good length and keeps it nice and tight, around the off stump. Naman stabs it down in front of cover. He is keen for a single, but Tilak sends him back.

3.5: Josh Hazlewood to Naman Dhir, FOUR! Dhir gets it away this time! Hazlewood lands it slightly full, on middle at 142.3 kph. Dhir collapses his back knee to get under the ball and hoicks it aerially behind square leg, beating the chasing Jacob Bethell in the deep to his left.

3.4: Josh Hazlewood to Tilak Varma, Bashes the hard length, on off. Tilak stands tall and steers it behind point for a single to get off the mark.

3.3: Josh Hazlewood to Naman Dhir, Leg bye. Skidding through, on a back of a length, on middle. Dhir stays back and has a swipe across the line but misses. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the thigh pad in front of point.

3.2: Josh Hazlewood to Naman Dhir, In the channel, on a good length. Naman extends his hands for the drive but ends up chopping it down on the off side.

3.1: Josh Hazlewood to Naman Dhir, Hurls it on a length, on off, Dhir pushes it to point.

MI are shellshocked by what has hit them. They need a steady partnership to get back on track. Tilak Varma comes in at number 5.

2.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Suryakumar Yadav, OUT! TAKEN! Two in two for Bhuvneshwar Kumar. A golden duck for Suryakumar Yadav, and his lean run continues. Seam-up ball by Bhuvneshwar this time at 137.2 kph, on a good length, honing in on the off stump. Suryakumar pushes out in front with hard hands. It goes off the outside edge to Virat Kohli, who is stationed at a slightly wide slip. Kohli moves to his right and gets low to take a good catch. Bhuvi will be on a hat-trick at the start of the next over. MI are 28/3 in 3 overs.

The season just keeps getting better and better for Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He has fished out both the MI openers in successive overs. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav arrives at the crease at number 4.

2.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Rohit Sharma, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! The knuckleball does the trick for Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Floated up to the batter by Bhuvneshwar, outside off. This curves away as Rohit just pushes at the ball tentatively with no real conviction. He pays the price as the ball takes the outside edge and goes behind. It is dipping on the keeper, Jitesh Sharma, but he does well to dive to his right and snaffle it with his gloves under the ball.

2.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Rohit Sharma, FOUR! Nicely done! Fractionally short, on off. Rohit lets the ball come to him and plays it late. Glides it with an open bat face to the left of deep backward point for a boundary.

2.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Naman Dhir, Miscued but safe! Pitched up by Bhuvi, outside off. Dhir frees his arms and swings hard, looking to go down the ground. It goes down to deep backward point off a thickish outside edge. Josh Hazlewood gets around to his right and cuts it off. Just a single.

2.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Naman Dhir, A mix-up but no harm done! Slightly fuller, on off. Naman springs onto the front foot again and taps it with a straight bat between cover and mid off before setting off for the run. He is nearly halfway through before Rohit sends him back. Luckily for him, there was a fumble which allowed him to get home.

2.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Naman Dhir, Serves it on a good length, in and around the off stump. Dhir gets on the front foot and punches it to the left of the bowler. Kumar sticks out the left hand and makes the stop.

2.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Naman Dhir, Wide! Sprayed down leg by Bhuvi, Dhir fails to help the length ball away.

JUST IN - Down in Chennai, in the afternoon game, CSK have defeated LSG by 5 wickets. It did get a bit tense in the death overs, but they eventually managed to chase down 204 with four balls to spare. With CSK winning their sixth game of the season, they move up to the fifth spot, and the race for a top 4 finish has just gotten more intense now. Back to Raipur. Bhuvneshwar Kumar to continue.

1.6: Josh Hazlewood to Rohit Sharma, SIX! Top edge, but it goes all the way! Josh Hazlewood goes for 16 runs in his first over. Hazlewood sticks to the short ball, over middle. Rohit gives the bowler the charge and attempts the pull, looking to play it in front of square this time. He fails to get on top of the bounce and a top edge is found. It sails over the slip cordon and goes over the deep third fence.

1.5: Josh Hazlewood to Rohit Sharma, SIX! Just over! Josh goes short, over middle and leg. Rohit takes on the short ball and plays the pull towards deep backward square leg. Jacob Bethell is not entirely on the ropes and back pedals before leaping across to his right but the ball clears him and drops beyond the fence.

1.4: Josh Hazlewood to Rohit Sharma, A ripper from Hazlewood! Angling in, on the off stump, on a good length. Rohit presents a straight bat to cover the line but the ball lands and straightens to go past the outside edge.

1.3: Josh Hazlewood to Rohit Sharma, Little too straight, on the pads. Rohit misses out on the tickle. The ball clips the pads and dribbles to the right of deep fine leg for a couple of leg byes.

1.2: Josh Hazlewood to Rohit Sharma, FOUR! Up and over! This is on a shortish length, over middle. Rohit backs away just at the point of release and exposes all three stumps. He gets the desired length and flat bats it back over mid off. Not quite from the middle of the bat but the ball has enough legs to win the race against Rajat Patidar.

1.1: Josh Hazlewood to Rohit Sharma, Right on the money! In the channel, bowled on a good length. Rohit makes a watchful leave.

Perfect start for the Royal Challengers and Bhuvi. He just continues to pick wickets with insane consistency. Naman Dhir is the new batter in for MI. Josh Hazlewood to operate from the opposite end.

0.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, OUT! CAUGHT! A real soft dismissal, and that is wicket number 18 of the season for Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Into the surface, on the shorter side, on middle. Rickelton gets on his toes and shapes up to whip it away on the leg side. The ball comes on slower than he expected and he ends up spooning it off the lower half of the blade to mid off. Rajat Patidar gobbles it up easily.

0.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, Beaten all ends up! From around the wicket now, angling back in, on a good length. Rickelton looks to flick it away but is beaten on the inside edge by the nip-backer and catches it high on the thigh pad.

0.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Rohit Sharma, Almost chopped it back onto the stumps! At 135.5 kph, on a nagging length, on the off stump. Rohit stays back to deal with it but the ball jags back in off the deck to catch the inside edge. It deflects onto the back leg before going wide of point for a run.

0.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, Bhuvneshwar goes fuller now and gets the ball to curve away. Ryan pushes out in front and gets it off the outer half through point. They cross.

0.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Rohit Sharma, Rohit is off the mark. Bhuvi hits the top of off, Sharma waits on the back foot and drops it with soft hands in front of point for a quick single.

0.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ryan Rickelton, Action straight away! Pushed across the left-hander, on a length. Rickelton presses forward but the ball seems to have stopped on him. He plays it well in front of his body and chips it towards mid off. Rajat Patidar moves across to his left and dives, but the ball does not carry. It deflects away off his body, allowing a single.

In all readiness for this blockbuster clash to get underway in Raipur. The two umpires have made their way out to the middle. Rajat Patidar has his men in a huddle before they scatter throughout the park. Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton walk out to the crease as MI's opening pair. And it will be Bhuvneshwar Kumar who will open the attack for RCB. Rickelton is on strike. A slip in place. Here we go!

A quick word from RCB's smasher - Tim David says they have identified the shortcomings from their recent losses but insists the focus remains on backing the strengths that have brought them success this season. He adds that it is important to go out with a clear mind. David says the rain did not allow RCB much preparation time yesterday. Believes that they have an experienced group that understands what it takes in big moments. Tim shares that the focus remains on controlling the controllables, regaining momentum after back-to-back defeats, and getting stuck into an important game in the playoff race.

Impact subs nominated by MI - Raghu Sharma, Mayank Rawat, Robin Minz, Shardul Thakur and Trent Boult.

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Will Jacks, Raj Bawa, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah and AM Ghazanfar.

Impact subs nominated by RCB -  Devdutt Padikkal, Jordan Cox, Mangesh Yadav, Swapnil Singh and Venkatesh Iyer.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI) - Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma and Rasikh Salam.

The captain of the Mumbai Indians - Suryakumar Yadav is happy to bat first on the black-soil surface, believing runs on the board could prove crucial in such a big game. Mentions that MI will look to put their best foot forward tonight despite the pressure situation. SKY confirms that they are unchanged for this game. Believes that this IPL has been tough for bowlers overall and adds that the beauty of T20 cricket lies in how teams respond to setbacks.

The skipper of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Rajat Patidar says the decision to bowl first is pretty obvious to him. He describes the surface as good and a bit hard, and says the plan is simple - restrict the opposition and chase the target down. On returning to Raipur after many years, he adds that the conditions are not unfamiliar to his side. Patidar takes a moment to appreciate the atmosphere, calling out the strong support for his side. Adds that everyone in the camp is looking forward to playing here. When asked about bouncing back from recent losses, he says the losses have happened, but what matters now is staying in the present and playing to their strengths, with the focus firmly on themselves rather than the opposition. Patidar confirms RCB are going in with the same side. On areas of improvement, Patidar says it is not about one or two specific things. He stresses that if they do well in the Powerplay, with both bat and ball, and play to their potential in that phase, the results will follow.