Mumbai Indians Brings More Heartbreak For Royal Challengers

Late strikes by Malinga restrict the visitors despite Moeen and de Villiers’ effort; Hardik Pandya delights with a cameo

- Amol Karhadkar

Moeen Ali excelled in both batting and bowling. A.B. de Villiers continued his love affair with Wankhede Stadium with a valuable, albeit scratchy, 75.

Still, the duo’s effort was not enough to keep Royal Challengers Bangalore’ comeback on course as Mumbai Indians crossed a moderate target of 172 runs without much fuss to virtually put an end to the former’s hopes of making the Playoffs.

With the strip, which offered considerable bounce and zip, starting to turn in the latter half, it was one bad call by the coaching staff ahead of the penultimate over that resulted in Hardik Pandya finishing the game with an unbeaten cameo which completed a five-wicket win with an over to spare.

With MI needing 22 off the last two overs and big-hitters Hardik and Kieron Pollard at the crease, the RCB bowling coach insisted on utilising left-arm spinner Pawan Negi.

Captain Virat Kohli agreed, despite having pacers Navdeep Saini, Mohammad Siraj and Umesh Yadav at his disposal, and Hardik made the visitors rue the decision.