IPL 2026: Why did MI lose against RCB at home? Know the biggest turning points of the match

Delhi: In the 20th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) performed brilliantly and defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by 18 runs. Batting first, Bengaluru made a strong score in the stipulated 20 overs, in response to which Mumbai Indians could not register victory even after coming close to the target. Chasing a big target, Mumbai Indians scored 222 runs at the loss of 5 wickets in 20 overs. Right from the beginning, the team was trying to maintain the run pace, but the continuous falling of wickets increased the pressure and the team fell short of the target.

Also read: MI vs RCB: Rajat Patidar scored fifty in 17 balls, equaled Adam Gilchrist’s 17 year old record

There were many turning points in this exciting match which changed the course of the match. Let us now know about the biggest turning points of the match:

‘Power-packed’ start of RCB’s batting

The biggest turning point of the match was the 120-run opening partnership between Phil Salt (78 runs, 36 balls) and Virat Kohli (50 runs, 38 balls). Both of them took full advantage of the power play and put the host bowlers under pressure, due to which the visiting team was successful in reaching a huge score of 240 runs.

Rajat Patidar’s stormy innings

When Salt was out, it seemed that MI could make a comeback, but Rajat Patidar came and completely snatched the match from Mumbai. He scored 53 runs (5 sixes) in just 20 balls. His innings kept the momentum going for RCB and he was also chosen as ‘Player of the Match’.

Rohit Sharma being ‘retired hurt’

The biggest blow for Mumbai Indians came when Rohit Sharma, who was looking in good form, had to leave the field after being retired hurt due to a hamstring injury. With his departure MI’s strategy of chasing the target fell apart.

Also read: Rohit Sharma made such a record for Mumbai Indians, which no one will be able to break!

Suyyash Sharma’s double strike

In the middle overs, when Mumbai was trying to recover, impact player Suyyash Sharma dismissed Ryan Rickleton and Tilak Verma in the same over. This double blow broke the back of MI’s run chase and the required run rate went beyond 15.

It is noteworthy that in this high-scoring match played at the Wankhede Stadium, the foundation of RCB’s victory was laid by the strong opening partnership of 120 runs by Phil Salt and Virat Kohli and the explosive half-century of Rajat Patidar, with the help of which the team scored a huge score of 240 runs. The biggest turning point for Mumbai Indians was captain Rohit Sharma leaving the field after being ‘retired hurt’, which completely spoiled the rhythm of the team chasing the target. However, Sherfane Rutherford tried his best to keep MI in the match by playing an aggressive inning of 71 runs in the end, but Suyyash Sharma’s double blow in the middle overs and the pressure of RCB’s huge score stopped Mumbai 18 runs away from the target.