Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by 18 runs in their IPL 2026 match at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday (April 12).
Phil Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Virat Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Rajat Patidar slammed a rapid 53 off just 20 balls to propel RCB to a massive 240/4 in 20 overs.
In reply, MI were restricted to 222/5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over. Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for Mumbai with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
After the win, RCB captain Patidar talked about the electrifying atmosphere at the Wankhede Stadium and his fearless batting approach.
He attributed their mammoth score to the clear mindset and defined roles of every individual in the team.
“Feel amazing.I think, whenever we come here in Mumbai, especially at this ground, the atmosphere, the fans, and playing along with them and playing in the full-packed stadium - that's a different feeling,” Patidar said at the post-match presentation.
“(Fearless nature of their batting) It was, I would say it's a more clarity about the every individual, I would say (on the strong batting). And the way Virat bhai and Salt started the innings, I think that kept us in the driving seat. Then a good cameo by me and Tim (David), I think that was a pure team effort I would say,” he added.
While Patidar is considered an excellent player of spin, he clarified that he actually loves facing fast bowling and enjoyed doing so on the true bounce of the Wankhede track.
“(Have you worked playing against the pacers?) To be honest, people used to say that I love playing spin, but if someone asks me, I would say I love playing fast bowling. And playing fast bowlers on this track, I think it's a very good track to play a fast bowler. So I think I love (facing) fast bowling,” he remarked.
Kohli did not take the field during MI’s run-chase, but Patidar provided a reassuring update to fans by stating that the star batter seemed to be doing okay.
“(On Kohli's injury) I don't know yet, but I think he, I feel that he's okay right now,” Patidar concluded.
