
April 7, 2025 — Mumbai’s own fortress, the Wankhede Stadium, saw something unexpected last night. The Mumbai Indians, one of the strongest teams in IPL history, lost by 12 runs to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The return of Jasprit Bumrah created a lot of buzz, but it wasn’t enough to stop RCB’s charge. Let’s look at what exactly went wrong for MI and how RCB turned things around for themselves.
Bumrah’s Back, But Where’s the Luck?
Fans were cheering loud the moment Bumrah walked out. After months away due to a back injury, the “Yorker King” was finally back in MI blues. Everyone hoped he’d take early wickets and shake up RCB’s top order. But cricket doesn’t always follow script.
Bumrah was sharp—tight line, good pace, just 29 runs in 4 overs. But wickets? Zero. Not even one. RCB’s batters didn’t let him settle. Kohli played a classy 67, Patidar smashed 64, and Jitesh Sharma added a fiery 40 off just 19 balls. They respected Bumrah but didn’t let him dominate.
MI fans had pinned hopes on this bowling lineup—Bumrah, Boult, Chahar—it looks good on paper. But RCB’s 221/5 was too much, even for them. Wankhede is usually a batting paradise, but MI’s bowlers looked flat. Sometimes, no matter how big your stars are, you need the whole team to click together.
What’s Really Happening With MI?
Let’s be honest. Mumbai Indians have won 5 titles. They know how to win. But something’s missing this season.
1. Top Order Trouble
Rohit made 17. Surya got 28. Not bad, but not match-winning either. Tilak Varma (56 off 29) and Hardik Pandya (42 off 15) tried to pull things back, but chasing 222 needs a solid start. MI’s middle order collapsed under pressure. And in this kind of chase, you can’t afford that.
2. Captaincy Confusion
The change from Rohit to Hardik hasn’t been smooth. Rohit had that cool head; Hardik is more fire. It’s not bad, but strategy seems to be missing. Hardik’s bowling figures were 2/45—not bad, but not game-changing either. His batting came late. Too late.
3. Bowling Leaks
Even with a top-class bowling attack, MI is leaking runs. Boult gave away 57 in 4 overs. Chahar went for 29 in just 2. Bumrah had a clean spell but didn’t get breakthroughs. Every game, the scorecard shows the same story—over 200 runs conceded.
You can blame the pitch or RCB’s form, but maybe MI needs to relook at their tactics. New field settings, different bowlers, or maybe more spin in the middle overs?
Even Star Bowlers Couldn’t Stop the Flow
What surprised everyone is how MI’s bowlers—who’ve won them so many matches—just couldn’t stop the flow of runs. Boult, Chahar, even Bumrah, all struggled. It’s not just this match. It’s been happening again and again.
RCB played smart cricket. Kohli anchored the innings, Patidar attacked, and Sharma finished. Every loose ball was punished. MI’s bowlers had no answer. And this was at their home ground!
Wankhede’s short boundaries don’t help bowlers, that’s true. But teams are posting 200+ regularly now. MI has to change something soon, or they’ll keep chasing impossible targets.
RCB: From Jokes to Joy
While MI scratches their head, RCB is flying high. A 12-run win against Mumbai at Wankhede? That’s not small.
Kohli looked in full form again. Patidar was fearless. Sharma gave the perfect finish. And even their bowlers did their job. Yash Dayal picked 2 wickets. Krunal Pandya also chipped in with 2. RCB didn’t just put runs on the board—they defended them.
This doesn’t look like the old RCB—the one that collapses under pressure. This time, they’re balanced. The batting depth is showing. The bowling is tight when it needs to be. This win might just be the turning point of their season.
What’s Next?
For Mumbai Indians, the answer is clear—regroup, rethink, rebuild. Hardik needs to settle into the captain’s role properly. Bowlers need to go back to the drawing board. A single win might bring their confidence back, but time is ticking.
For RCB, this is the moment to push forward. Momentum is on their side. If they can fix their lower order and stay consistent, a playoff spot is very much possible.
Final Thoughts
This match had everything—Bumrah’s comeback, a nail-biting chase, and RCB finally getting their act together. MI came close, but close isn’t good enough in IPL.
April 7th reminded us once again—in cricket, there are no guarantees. One big knock, one bad over, and everything changes. Now the question is—can MI bounce back? Or is it finally RCB’s time to shine?
What do you think? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s talk cricket the way it should be—raw, real, and full of heart.
Check the full scorecard of this match here.
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