IPL 2019, Royal Challengers Bangalore Vs Mumbai Indians – As It Happened...

Controversy, controversy. The 12th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) continued to have its fair share of talking points. There was mankading, overthrow rules and tonight, umpires. But players have given everything. The match of the season so far. Lasith Malinga defended 17 runs after being hit for a six off the first ball. Then, Jasprit Bumrah played his part, taking two wickets, including that of Virat Kohli. Three-time champions got a good start then lost momentum in the middle overs, before Hardik Pandya ended the innings with a flourish. For the hosts, they needed luck despite having the like of Kohli and AB de Villiers, who remained unbeaten on 70 off 41 with four fours and six sixes.

First win for Mumbai, and second defeat for Bengaluru.

(MATCH REPORT | FULL SCHEDULE | POINTS TABLE| 2019 ELECTION SPECIAL)

And what? Lasith Malinga's front foot looked clearly overstepping. Virat Kohli's distraught! And the umpire in question was S Ravi. Kohli said, it's not club cricket. This shouldn't happen.

RCB INNINGS; TARGET 188

11:51 PM IST: Shivam Dube hit the first ball for a six over long-off. Wild swing and Jasprit Bumrah dropped a tough one at fine leg. A single taken. AB de Villiers settled for a single off the next ball. 9 from 3. A single more. 8 required from two. A single, and equation = 7 from 1. A six for a tie. Men covering boundary. No six, and Mumbai Indians won by six runs. RCB could manage only 181/5 in 20 overs.

And Dube takes the strike against Malinga.

11:44 PM IST: Shivam Dube joined AB de Villiers. Jasprit Bumrah's final over continued. A dot to AB de Villiers, yorker. Two singles as Bumrah conceded five runs. His figures: 4-0-23-3. RCB were 171/5. They need 17 in the last over.

11:41 PM IST: Jasprit Bumrah with the penultimate over. A single as Colin de Grandhomme scampered after slashing at backward point. Next, a yorker to AB de Villiers, and a leg bye. A wide followed. Rohit Sharma not happy with the call. Then, the wicket of de Grandhomme (2 off 7). Caught at third man by Krunal Pandya. FoW-169/5 (18.3 Over).

11:36 PM IST: A little shuffle and AB de Villiers hit the first ball from Hardik Pandya for a four, picked the vacant spot deep midwicket and deep square leg. It was followed by two singles. Then, ABD hit the fourth ball for a six. Sensational stuff. Hardik can only smirk. Mistimed but it went for a six over deep backward point. Another six, this time, full toss and full contact and flew over backward square leg. Hardik and his teammates in deep discussion. A well-directed bouncer to end the over. 18 from the over. RCB were 166/4 after 18 overs. 22 from 12.

11:30 PM IST: First ball after the time-out, Jasprit Bumrah removed Shimron Hetmyer (5 off 6). Caught by Hardik Pandya. FoW- 147/4 (16.1 Over). Then AB de Villiers reached his 29th IPL fifty with a single. He took 31 balls, with the help of three fours and four sixes. His new partner was Colin de Grandhomme. The new man ate up the remaining deliveries. One wicket and one run from Bumrah's third over. RCB were 148/4. They need 40 from 18 balls.

11:22 PM IST: RCB need 61 from the last five overs. Lasith Malinga returned for his third over. A dot to Shimron Hetmyer, then a double, followed by a single. AB de Villiers beat the fine leg fielder for a four. Knelt down and made enough contact. But there was a review too, for LBW. A wide. ABD then launched the fifth ball for a six over long-off. The over completed with a biggie, with the ball landing in the second tier. 20 runs from the over. Now they need 41 from four overs.

11:16 PM IST: But AB de Villiers continued. Back-to-back fours from the South African, off the second and third balls, as Hardik Pandya leaked 11 runs from his second over. Shimron Hetmyer got his first IPL run with a single off the first ball of the over. RCB were 127/3 after 15 overs. Required rate just crept over 12.

11:11 PM IST: Five thousand IPL runs for Virat Kohli, when he reached 46. Suresh Raina was the first to do so. But the RCB captain departed two balls later, top edged and caught by Hardik Pandya at square leg. Jasprit Bumrah got the wicket. FoW-116/3 (13.4 Over). Kohli made 46 off 32 balls, with the help of six fours. Shimron Hetmyer joined AB de Villiers. Three runs and that big wicket from the over. RCB were 116/3 after 14 overs. They need another 72 runs from 36 balls.

11:05 PM IST: Krunal Pandya completed his spell. Four singles from his last over, for 28 without success. RCB were 113/2 after 13 overs. Virat Kohli needs five more runs to complete his fifty. AB de Villiers was on 23 off 19. They need 75 from 42.

11:01 PM IST: These is legend vs legends. Lasith Malinga returned for his second over. Rohit Sharma must be waiting for the right moment to bring in his most experienced bowler. A double off the first ball as Virat Kohli played towards deep, followed by a single. AB de Villiers rotated the strike, than a double. A wide followed. A single, then ABD hit the last ball for a six over deep square leg. 14 runs from the over. RCB were 109/2 after 12 overs. Equation = 79 from 48 balls.

10:56 PM IST: Mayank Markande went for 13 runs in his third over. Virat Kohli hit the first ball for a four, then AB de Villiers creamed the fourth ball for a massive six over long-off. RCB were 95/2 after 11 overs. Markande figures so far: 3-0-23-1

10:51 PM IST: Two very good overs for MI as Krunal Pandya and Mayank Markande conceded five and three runs respectivly against Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, two of the best batsmen in the world. Krunal followed it up with a seven-run over. RCB were 82/2 after 10 overs.

10:42 PM IST: Mayank Markande struck in his first over. The spinner conceded seven runs, including a four by Parthiv Patel off the second ball, but the opener played on the fifth ball. Then Yuvraj Singh dropped AB de Villiers the very next ball. Seven runs and a wicket from the over. RCB were 67/2 after seven over.

10:33 PM IST: Nine runs from Hardik Pandya's first over, with Virat Kohli hitting hs Indian teammate for two fours off the last two balls. Then, Parthiv Patel took apart elder Pandya, Hardik. Four and six, then two singles. But two dots to end the over. 12 runs from it. RCB were 60/1 after 6 overs.

10:24 PM IST: Jasprit Bumrah got his first over, and dot to Parthiv Patel to start the spell. A direct hit from Rohit Sharma to run Moeen Ali out off the second ball. That brought Virat Kohli in the centre. A dot, then three fours on the trot. Second four, off the fifth ball, was a lucky one, thick outside edge.  But the last one was a beauty. Hammered. 12 runs from it. RCB were 39/1 after four overs.

10:20 PM IST: Moeen Ali hit Mitchell McClenaghan for a four and six to complete the over. 17 runs from it. Parthiv Patel earlier hit the the third ball for a four. RCB were 27/0 after three overs.

10:16 PM IST: What an over from Lasith Malinga. Just three runs, all singles. Perfect exhibition of deception and control. RCB were 10/0 after two overs.

10:10 PM IST: Mitchell McClenaghan started the proceedings. A single off the first ball as Parthiv Patel played toward mid-wicket. A dot ball, then Moeen Ali took a single. Patel then hit the fourth ball for a four, beating midwicket fielder. A dot and a single to end the seven-run over.

MI INNINGS

9:51 PM IST: Mohammed Siraj had Mayank Markande caught behind. With the umpire taking some to raise the finger, confusion reigned thanks to batsmen scampering for a single. New man Jasprit Bumrah did well to give the strike to Hardik Pandya, who hit the next ball for a huge six over. A wide, well above batsman's shoulder. Hardik didn't take the single, and he was right. Hit the next ball for another biggie, over long on. That was big. A single to end the over. MI 187/8. 15 from the last over. Hardik unbeaten on 32off 14. Mohammed Siraj: 4-0-38-2. Still a good total.

9:42 PM IST: Hardik Pandya dispatched the first ball of the penultimate over, a full toss, for a four. Missed the second. Navdeep Saini's pace beat him. But Hardik played the shot of the shot, picking the ball from the off and pulling it for a huge six over cow corner boundary. A not ball followed for ball height, even as wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel and Moeen Ali collided going for the irrelevant catch.  Two balls off it. A single from the freehit. Virat Kohli's not happy. A single, then a dot ball. 15 runs from the over. MI were 172/7 after 19 overs. Saini's figures: 4-0-40-0.

9:36 PM IST: New man got a four off the first ball he faced. Lucky one. Inside edge. A single followed, then Hardik Pandya flicked one for a four. It traveled. A wicket and 10 runs from the over. MI were 157/7 with 12 legal deliveries left in the innings.

9:31 PM IST: One wicket and two runs from the over. Umesh Yadav did well. His figures: 4-0-26-2. After 17 overs, MI were 147/6. Then Mitchell McClenaghan didn't last long, bowled by Mohammed Siraj. FoW-147/7 (17.1 Over). Last four overs, 35 runs and five wickets. Stunning!

9:26 PM IST: This is some pull back from RCB. Another brilliant catch at the boundary. Navdeep Saini showed his athleticism to complete the catch. Krunal Pandya (1 off 2) gone . FoW - 146/6 (16.3 Over). Reviewed required if Saini touches the rope while landing. Second wicket for Umesh Yadav.

9:24 PM IST: Kieron Pollard almost offered a return catch to Yuzvendra Chahal off the first ball after the break.  But the Windies all-rounder failed to last long. Chahal had him caught at deep extra cover by Shimron Hetmyer. FoW-145/5 (Over 15.6 Over). Thus we have Pandya brothers in the centre. Krunal and Hardik.

9:18 PM IST: Yuzvendra Chahal got his third. Had Suryakumar Yadav (38 off 24) caught at backward point by running back Moeen Ali. FoW-142/4 (15.3 Over). In the last four overs, MI have scored 41 runs losing two wickets. And time out.

9:13 PM IST: Suryakumar Yadav has taken over the role of enforcer. Hit two back to back fours, lucky ones nonetheless, off the third and fourth balls of the over. 13 runs from the over. Colin de Grandhomme's figures so far: 3-0-27-0. MI were 139/3 after 15 overs.

9:09 PM IST: Kieron Pollard joined Suryakumar Yadav and a single off the first ball he faced. After 14 overs, MI were 126/3.

9:07 PM IST: This is vintage Yuvraj Singh (23 off 12). Pulled the first ball over deep backward point, then hit the second one straight over the bowler'ss head. 12 runs from two balls this over. Another six, this time over long-off. But, going for the glory, he holed out at long-on, catch taken by a jumping Mohammed Siraj. It could have easily been a six. FoW-124/3 (13.4 Over). And Yuzvendra Chahal's a relieved man.

9:03 PM IST: Virat Kohli introduced Moeen Ali. Good start from the England spinner, three singles from the first four deliveries. But Suryakumar Yadav spoilt it with a six, over long on and a four. 13 runs from it. MI were 106/2 after 13 overs.

8:57 PM IST: Mohammed Siraj returned for his second over. Just three runs from it. MI were 93/2 after 12 overs.

8:55 PM IST: Rohit Sharma out (48 off 33; 4sX8,6sX1), caught at Mohammed Siraj. FoW - 87/2 (10.4 Over). Wicket to Umesh Yadav. Rohit failed to control his shot and ended up producing a skier, catch well taken at mid-on. Yuvraj Singh promoted to no 3. After the end of over. A wicket and eight runs from the over. MI were 90/2 after 11 overs.

8:49 PM IST: Another productive over for MI. 10 runs from Colin de Grandhomme's second over. Rohit, who's nearing fifty, hit the fourth ball for a four, lifting over square leg. MI were 82/1 after 10 over. Rohit on 48 off 31.

8:45 PM IST: Yuzvendra Chahal continued with his second over. Four leg byes as Suryakumar Yadav's attempted sweep shot fooled the Parthiv Patel. Three singles, Rohit Sharma swept the fourth ball for a four. A single and 12 runs from the over. MI were 72/1 after nine overs.

8:41 PM IST: Another bowling change for RCB. Virat Kohli introduced Colin de Grandhomme in the 8th over. A single to Rohit Sharma to start spell A dot to Suryakumar Yadav, then a single, followed by two more. A dot to Rohit to end the over. Good start from the Zimbabwean-born Kiwi international. Only four singles. MI were 60/1.

8:36 PM IST: Yuzvendra Chahal provided RCB the much-needed breakthrough. Bowled Quinton de Kock. MI opener went for a reverse sweep against a straighter and paid the price. FoW-54/1 (6.3 Over). Suryakumar Yadav joined skipper Rohit Sharma in the centre. Four runs and a wicket from the over. MI were 56/1 after seven overs.

8:27 PM IST: Quinton de Kock catching up with his skipper Rohit Sharma. Two dots from Navdeep Saini, then the wicketkeeper-batsman played a lofted shot over cover, where Colin de Grandhomme missed a tough chance. A dot ball and a single followed. Then, just like in the previous over, Rohit ended it with a four, to deep extra cover. And the opening stand for MI is 52. Power-play over.

8:23 PM IST: First bowling change. Mohammed Siraj started his spell with two dot balls to Quinton de Kock, but the left-handed batsman hit back the good length ball for a six over long-off. A single, then a dot ball. Rohit Sharma ended the over with a four. Sublime timing, beating a diving AB de Villiers at mid-on. 11 runs from the over. MI were 43/0 after five overs.

8:18 PM IST: Rohit Sharma hit Navdeep Saini for a six off the third ball of the over. Brilliant shot from Rohit, who pulled it over deep mid-wicket boundary. Seven runs from the over. MI were 32/0 after four overs.

8:14 PM IST: Umesh Yadav continued with his second over. Singles off the first and fourth deliveries to make two after four balls, but Quinton de Kock played a controlled pull shot for his first boundary. A single to end the seven-run over. MI were 25/0 after three overs.

8:10 PM IST: Navdeep Saini, billed as one for the future, started on the middle and a dot to Quinton de Kock. The South African played the second ball towards fine leg, for a single. Thick inside edge and flew for a four behind the wicket. Ball, coming back at good pace, beat Rohit Sharma. He's lucky to have survived. Two more dot balls, than Rohit showed class, drove to deep extra cover for another four. Nine runs from the over. MI were 18/0 after two overs.

8:03 PM IST: Umesh Yadav started the proceedings. A dot ball to Quinton de Kock, followed by a single. Then Rohit Shrma played a fine flick shot for the first boundary of the day. A dot, then another four from the blade of MI captain, this time, through square leg. Pure class. A dot to end the nine-run over.

7:42 PM IST: So the biggest news is the return of Lasith Malinga. The Lankan legend is still a force to reckon with and with Jasprit Bumrah, forms a potent pace attack.

7:33 PM IST: Virat Kohli won the toss and RCB will bowl against MI.

Playing XIs:

RCB: Virat Kohli (c), Parthiv Patel (wk), Moeen Ali, AB de Villiers, Shimron Hetmyer, Shivam Dube, Colin de Grandhomme, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

MI: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (w), Suryakumar Yadav, Yuvraj Singh, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Mitchell McClenaghan, Lasith Malinga, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah

7:10 PM IST: Key stats ahead of the toss

- Historically, Mumbai Indians are the overwhelming favourites, winning 14 of the 23 matches so far in this fixture, including seven in Bengaluru.
- Average first innings total in IPL 2018 matches at the venue was 187.
- AB de Villiers scored 4 half-centuries in 5 innings in Bengaluru last season.

RCB players AB de Villiers and Yuzvendra Chahal during a practice session, ahead of the Indian Premier League 2019 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians at Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru. PTI Photo

7:32 PM IST: Virat Kohli wins the toss and RCB will bowl first in Bengaluru.

6:53 PM IST: The abundance of stroke-makers in both the camps sure promises a high scoring match. When India played Australia here last month, the visitors chased down a 191-run target with relative ease thanks to a Glen Maxwell hundred. Don't be surprised if someone turns up to play a big innings like that. Kohli, Rohit, ABD, Pollard – all of them can do that.

6: 41 PM IST: Then, what about veteran Yuvraj Singh. The 37-year-old played one of his best knocks in the IPL, keeping Mumbai in the chase against Delhi with a fluent 53 off 35, which was laced with five fours and three sixes. He may just replicate that feat and surprise everyone.

Yuvraj Singh during a training session ahead of the Indian Premier League 2019 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians. PTI Photo

6: 15 PM IST: And one sub-plot in this intriguing clash between the perennial underachievers and the joint-most successful outfit is the possible match-up between Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. Even there's one overused promo being aired of the two taking at each other in friendly banter, scripted of course. But once they are out there, it will be an intense rivalry between two top-class cricketers. And reports claim that Bumrah, who landed awkwardly in Mumbai India's defeat at the hands of Delhi Capitals, is all set to play.

RCB Skipper Virat Kohli share a light moment with MI player Jasprit Bumrah and mentor Zaheer Khan during a practice session, ahead of the Indian Premier League 2019 (IPL T20) cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, Tuesday, March 26, 2019. PTI Photo

Preview:

After losing their respective first matches, both the teams will be hoping to turn the tables in their favour. Skippers Kohli (6 runs) and Rohit (14 runs), who failed with the bat in their respective first matches, will be eager to get that first victory of the season.

RCB had a nightmare start in the first match of this IPL season, as they were bundled out for 70 by defending champions CSK. Though RCB lost the game by seven wickets, their bowlers put up a fight till the end. Yuzvendra Chahal was exceptional with his flippers as he conceded just 6 runs in his quota of 4 overs. Moeen Ali and young Navdeep Saini were also impressive. But their small total proved detrimental to the team's cause.

Apart from Parthiv Patel (29), no other batsman could even reach double digits. RCB’s batsmen were guilty of poor shot selection as they holed out more than often going for glory. shots. It is clearly evident that someone amongst Kohli or AB de Villers needs to anchor the innings and carry till the end. With the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell McClenaghan and Ben Cutting in the opposition, RCB boys will have to pull up their socks and bat sensibly.

On the other side, MI were completely demolished by Rishabh Pant in their opening match against Delhi Capitals which resulted in a 37-run defeat. The flamboyant left-handed batsman scored an unbeaten 27-ball 78 as he smashed Mumbai bowlers all over the park

Skipper Rohit Sharma will hope to put that game behind and get their campaign kick-started in the positive note against RCB. The MI batting also looked pretty ordinary, except for Yuvraj Singh who scored 53. MI, with the likes of Kieron Pollard, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Quinton de Kock, will be aiming to exploit the smallish of the Bengaluru ground to the maximum.

MI camp will be definitely boosted as strike bowler Lasith Malinga was cleared by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to take part in the IPL. SLC had earlier made a statement that the World Cup hopefuls will not be allowed to feature in the IPL as they had to compulsorily compete in their Super Provincial One-day domestic tournament from April 4 to 11. The verdict had forced the legendary fast bowler to make himself unavailable for the Mumbai-based franchise during the initial half of the tournament.

However, according to ESPNcricinfo, the SLC has decided to relax the restriction after a few calls from BCCI. Ashantha de Mel, Chief Selector, SLC, said that as Malinga’s place in the squad was confirmed, he is free to take part in the IPL. He is also the highest wicket-taker in IPL (154 wickets in 110 matches). The 35-year-old fast bowler is making a comeback to the team after he had been a part of the Mumbai Indians’ coaching staff last year.

The battle will also be between the ICC ’s World Number 1 ODI batsman Kohli vs ICC World Number 1 ODI bowler Bumrah.

Bumrah seemed to have injured his shoulder on the last ball of the Delhi innings when he dived towards his left off his own bowling to stop the batsman from taking a run. Chances of him playing tomorrow are bleak considering the upcoming World Cup. Nonetheless, he was seen training yesterday.

With both at the peak of their careers and the masters of their respective art, it's to be seen who will have the last laugh. With iconic supergiants on both the sides, and Bengaluru having a rich history of high scoring nail bitters, fans will be in for a cricketing spectacle.