On May 2, 2018, the 32nd match of the IPL unfolded at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where a thrilling contest saw the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) narrowly defeat the Mumbai Indians (MI) by 4 runs under the D/L (Duckworth-Lewis) method.
Batting first, RCB managed to put up a formidable total of 167 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Manan Vohra was a standout performer for RCB, scoring a quickfire 45 runs off just 31 balls, featuring 4 sixes and 2 fours, achieving an impressive strike rate of 145.16. Alongside him, Brendon McCullum also made a notable contribution with 37 runs off 25 balls. Captain Virat Kohli added a crucial 32 runs, but the innings faced a hiccup as the middle order struggled against the MI bowlers, with Hardik Pandya’s fiery bowling (3 wickets for 28 runs in 3 overs) causing significant trouble.
In response, the Mumbai Indians began their innings with hopes high, but they faced early setbacks, with key players like Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan failing to make a mark. However, Hardik Pandya stood out for MI, scoring a solid 50 off 42 balls, albeit it was not enough to steer his team to victory. MI finished their innings at 153 runs, falling short by 4 runs as the rain had disrupted play, leading to the D/L calculation that favored RCB.
Despite their best efforts reflected in a gritty partnership from the middle order, MI could not chase down the target set by RCB, and the match concluded with a thrilling finish as RCB celebrated a narrow win. It was a match filled with excitement, showcasing brilliant individual performances and strategic bowling that made it a memorable contest in the 2018 IPL season.