Mumbai: Hardik Pandya (37 n o, 16b, 5×4, 4×6) celebrated his World Cup selection is a rampaging fashion as he once again led Mumbai Indians to a five-wicket victory against Royals Challengers Bangalore (RCB) here Monday.
Openers Rohit Sharma (28) and Quinton de Kock (40) has set the tone with a 70-run opening wicket partnership before some quick dismissals in the form of De Kock, Ishan Kishan (21) and Suryakumar Yadav (29) left the hosts in a spot of bother at 129/4 in 16th over.
However, Hardik clobbered 22 runs in the 19th over of left-arm spinner Pawan Negi (0/47) to see off the proceedings. With this win, Mumbai rose to third with 10 points from eight matches while RCB languish at bottom with just a single win from as many matches.
Earlier, AB de Villiers (75, 51b, 6×4, 4×6) and Moeen Ali (50, 32b, 1×4, 5×6) hit impressive half centuries to guide RCB to a respectable 171/7 at Wankede Stadium.
After RCB lost skipper Virat Kohli (eight) and Parthiv Patel (28) inside seven overs, South African De Villiers along with Ali resurrected the innings with a 95-run stand for the third wicket.
The former Proteas skipper stamped his authority, as he completed his half century in 41 balls. Ali was a little bit more aggressive than De Villiers as the two took the MI attack to cleaners.
Ali initially played second fiddle but later upped the ante. He was particularly severe on Australian pacer Jason Behrendoff (1/49), whom he hit for two sixes and a four in the 16th over, which fetched 17 runs for RCB.
De Villiers, who took time to settle, then showed his class, as he hit round the park. However, veteran Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Maliga (4/31) pegged the visiting side back by removing Ali and Marcus Stonis (zero) in the 18th over and taking two wickets in the final over. De Villiers was run out in the final over off a brilliant throw from long-on.
Earlier put into bat, Aussie Behrendoff celebrated his World Cup selection by getting the prized wicket of Kohli, who edged to stumper Quinton De Kock.
Parthiv struck three fours and a six off Behrendoff in the fifth over from which RCB amassed 19 runs. But he threw his wicket away, giving a dolly to Suryakumar Yadav off Pandya (1/21).
Brief scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore 171/7 (AB de Villiers 75, Moeen Ali 50; Lasith Malinga 4/31) lost to Mumbai Indians 172/5 (Quinton de Kock 40, Hardik Pandya 37 n o) by five wickets.
