MI fell 18 runs short while chasing RCB's target of 241.
Invited to bat first, RCB racked up a massive 240/4 in 20 overs, on the back of half-centuries from Phil Salt (78 off 36 balls), Virat Kohli (50 off 38 balls), Rajat Patidar (53 off 20) and Tim David’s cameo of 16-ball 34*.
Despite an explosive, unbeaten 71 off just 31 balls by Impact Player Sherfane Rutherford and a notable contribution from skipper Hardik Pandya (40 off 22), MI fell short and finished at 222/5.
Following the loss, Hardik expressed frustration over the team constantly playing "catch-up" in both batting and bowling departments.
"Yes (lost too many wickets) and at the same point of time, I think we conceded way too many (runs) as well. (too many big overs while bowling) I think that was always going to be catch-up. I think in the last couple of games, as a bowling unit or even as a batting unit, we’ve been quite catching up in the game rather than leading the game," Hardik said at the post-match presentation.
“We really need to reflect, really need to see what best we can do and how we can get that momentum and that click which we require. We have a couple of days off from here and we will play again,” the captain added.
Hardik Pandya admitted that the team needs to re-evaluate their approach to batting/bowling first after winning the toss, noting the current strategy is "not working". He didn’t rule out the possibility of exploring different combinations moving forward.
“To be very honest, now a lot of things needs to be rethink. Definitely, it’s not working. Couple of games we have won the toss, but maybe we need to see what other options we have as a batting group or bowling group. Looking at the kind of wicket it’s playing, if we can bat as well, that would be good. We still need to play cricket, we still need to bat well, we still need to bowl well. And if we do that, then irrespective of the toss (we will be fine),” he remarked.
Pandya highlighted the team's inability to gain momentum in the initial powerplay overs, both when batting and bowling.
“That’s what we are planning and talking about, how do we get some momentum in powerplay. Because if you see, in both batting and bowling, we are kind of trying to catch up in the powerplay. As you said, a lot of options will be asked and thrown. We will see what we can do in the next game,” he said.
Hardik Pandya acknowledged Rutherford's potential and ability to hit powerful shots, citing that his form enables the team management to consider tactical changes.
“Yes. When we got him (Rutherford), it was always exciting for us. We always knew the kind of potential and the kind of power he has. The way he batted it just gives us extra cushion and at the same point of time confidence that if we want to make some changes or we want to see what this team requires, we can definitely do it because the way he’s batting,” he concluded.