In match number 5 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) faced off against Mumbai Indians (MI) at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and secured a commanding eight-wicket triumph over their opponents.
MI, batting first, managed to post a respectable score of 171/7 in their allotted 20 overs, largely thanks to Tilak Varma’s exceptional 84-run knock. RCB’s Karn Sharma was the standout bowler, claiming two wickets for 32 runs in his four-over spell. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj and Harshal Patel also contributed with a wicket each for RCB.
RCB’s response was a blistering one as openers Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli went on the offensive, scoring 73 and 82 runs, respectively. The duo dominated the MI bowlers with their fluid strokeplay and sharp running between the wickets. Virat, in particular, was in fine form, smashing eleven boundaries, which included five sixes, two of which came off Jofra Archer’s bowling.
The first of these maximums came in the fourth over’s fifth delivery when Virat charged down the pitch and smashed the right-arm pacer over long-off for a flat six. The second six was even more impressive, as Virat pulled a short delivery over deep square leg.
As for the match’s outcome, RCB comfortably chased down the target of 172 runs in a mere 16.2 overs, losing just two wickets in the process. Du Plessis, who played a remarkable innings, was named the ‘Player of the Match’ for his exceptional performance.