Royal Challengers Bengaluru edged past Mumbai Indians by 18 runs at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, but the victory came with a brief fitness scare. Virat Kohli was seen spending time off the field due to an ankle concern, prompting a few anxious moments during a match that mattered at every step. Earlier in the innings, Kohli had already put his team in a strong position with a 50 off 38 balls, yet during Mumbai’s chase he did not stay involved in the action. Instead, Jacob Bethell was brought in as a substitute fielder while Kohli remained away from the field.
The day’s strain on star bodies didn’t stop there. Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma also had to leave the field during the same contest after picking up a hamstring issue, meaning both modern-day icons were forced to manage fitness problems in a high-pressure game. Even with those concerns hanging around, Kohli had already done significant damage for RCB before the scare became the talking point.
After getting started, Kohli forged a vital century stand with Phil Salt, laying down the platform for Bengaluru’s total. He then moved into his own personal milestone, becoming the first batter to reach 1,000 runs against Mumbai Indians in the IPL. By the end of the match, Kohli’s record versus MI stood at 1,030 runs in 36 innings, at an average of 32.18 and a strike rate of 129.23. The tally includes a best of 92 not out and seven half-centuries, underlining how consistent he has been against the franchise.
On top of his head-to-head landmark, Kohli also added another major achievement in the T20 format. He notched his 47th century partnership, the highest number by any batter in T20 cricket, surpassing Chris Gayle’s previous mark of 46 such stands.
When the match finished, RCB captain Rajat Patidar addressed the worry around Kohli’s ankle and offered a calming response. Speaking after the win, Patidar said, “I do not know yet, but I think he, I feel that he is okay right now.”
Patidar also looked back at how Bengaluru managed the game, praising both the batting effort and the atmosphere at the Wankhede Stadium. He pointed to the early momentum created by Kohli and Phil Salt, and then the way RCB pushed their total further. Patidar credited his own contribution along with Tim David’s late cameo, which helped drive RCB to 240/4—an innings total that ultimately proved decisive. With that, Bengaluru held their nerve to secure an 18-run triumph despite the late fitness concerns.
