In a dramatic twist at the Wankhede Stadium in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Mumbai Indians’ Hardik Pandya produced a momentum-shifting over that derailed Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s innings. Bowling the 15th over, Pandya first sent back Virat Kohli, who had anchored the innings with a fine 67, and followed it up by removing the dangerous Liam Livingstone for a duck just two balls later.
Virat Kohli falls to Hardik Pandya after a stellar knock
Hardik’s breakthrough came at a crucial time, with Kohli well set on 67 off 42 balls. Hardik bowled a back-of-a-length delivery wide outside off, which Kohli attempted to pull across the line towards deep midwicket. Walking across the stumps in search of placement behind square, Kohli misjudged the bounce and pace, resulting in a mistimed shot. The ball went high but lacked distance, and Naman Dhir made no mistake at the boundary, completing the catch. The dismissal ended Kohli’s authoritative knock, which included 8 fours and 2 sixes at a strike rate nearing 160. This was the second time Pandya had dismissed Kohli in T20s, continuing their evolving on-field rivalry. Kohli’s wicket was pivotal, as it broke the momentum and created an opening for MI to claw their way back.
Here’s the video:
Captain gets Virat 💯#IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/ifX9jZ2Dbe
— Aman (@Amanriz78249871) April 7, 2025
Also WATCH: MI vs RCB: Virat Kohli welcomes Jasprit Bumrah in IPL 2025 with a thunderous six
Liam Livingstone perishes without scoring as Hardik strikes again
Two balls after removing Kohli, Hardik dealt another blow to RCB by dismissing Livingstone for a duck. The Englishman, known for his aggressive approach against spin and pace alike, was greeted with a back-of-a-length delivery wide outside off. Attempting to improvise a scoop behind square, Livingstone completely mistimed the shot, possibly getting a faint touch off the helmet. The awkward loft went straight up in the air, and Jasprit Bumrah, positioned smartly at short third, made an easy catch look simpler. The risky shot selection exposed Livingstone’s impatience and MI capitalized on it perfectly. Hardik’s clever variation and execution turned the pressure back on RCB, and Livingstone’s early departure ensured MI avoided another late-innings assault from a known power-hitter.
RCB dominate first half as Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar shine at Wankhede
RCB showcased their batting might by posting a formidable 221/5 against MI. RCB lost Phil Salt early to Trent Boult, but Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal stitched together a counter-attacking partnership, pushing the run rate skyward. Kohli’s fluent 67 off 42 balls, laced with eight boundaries and two sixes, laid a strong foundation for the innings.
Following Padikkal’s dismissal for a rapid 37, Rajat Patidar took charge. The RCB skipper smashed a blistering 64 off just 32 deliveries, bringing aggression and momentum in the middle overs. Despite a rare failure from Livingstone, who was dismissed for a duck, Jitesh Sharma finished strongly with a quickfire unbeaten 40 off 19 balls. RCB’s late flourish ensured they crossed the 220-run mark, setting a steep target of 222 for Mumbai.
Among MI’s bowlers, Hardik and Boult claimed two wickets each, though at a heavy cost. Jasprit Bumrah was the most economical, conceding just 29 in his four overs without a wicket. The rest of the bowling attack leaked runs, with Deepak Chahar and Mitchell Santner also failing to make breakthroughs.
