Kohli, Patidar and Krunal star as RCB end ten-year Wankhede jinx 2025 best
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Kohli, Patidar, and Krunal Star as RCB End Ten-Year Wankhede Jinx
IPL 2025 | Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) walked into the cauldron of the Wankhede Stadium on a sultry April evening with history stacked firmly against them. Kohli, Patidar and Krunal star as RCB end ten-year Wankhede jinx 2025 best Ten long years of heartbreak, near misses, and humbling defeats at this iconic venue loomed large over the men in red and gold. But in a night that will be etched in RCB folklore, a masterclass from Virat Kohli, a fearless assault from Rajat Patidar, and a game-breaking all-round performance from Krunal Pandya saw them finally break their Wankhede curse, defeating Mumbai Indians (MI) in a pulsating contest that could very well redefine their IPL 2025 campaign.
The Build-up: High Stakes, Heavy Pressure
The Mumbai Indians had the psychological edge coming into this match — not just from history, but also due to form. RCB had not tasted victory at the Wankhede since 2015. Kohli, Patidar and Krunal star as RCB end ten-year Wankhede jinx 2025 best With MI’s batting stacked and their young guns firing, the odds seemed tilted toward the hosts. But RCB, under Faf du Plessis’ captaincy and with a squad blending youth and experience, looked determined to change the script.
Toss and Team Sheets
RCB won the toss and opted to bat first — a brave call considering Wankhede’s chasing-friendly nature. The pitch was hard and expected to favor stroke-makers, Kohli, Patidar and Krunal star as RCB end ten-year Wankhede jinx 2025 best with a hint of turn later in the evening. Bengaluru fielded a balanced XI, with Kohli, Patidar, and Maxwell as the core batters, while Krunal Pandya slotted in as a key all-rounder. Mumbai, as always, relied on their power-packed top order — Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Suryakumar Yadav — with Jasprit Bumrah leading the bowling attack.
Powerplay: Kohli’s Vintage Fire
RCB’s innings began cautiously, with Faf du Plessis falling early to a sharp in-swinger from Bumrah. But from the moment Kohli faced his first ball, there was a sense that the maestro was in the mood. Timing the ball sweetly and threading the field like only he can, Kohli played a vintage innings that was part calculated aggression, part pure artistry.
He targeted the MI spinners ruthlessly, sweeping Piyush Chawla for boundaries and stepping down to loft Shamsi over long-off. His fifty came off just 35 balls, Kohli, Patidar and Krunal star as RCB end ten-year Wankhede jinx 2025 best and more importantly, he anchored the innings while others played around him.
Middle Overs: Patidar’s Power Surge
After a brief lull following the loss of Maxwell and Green, Rajat Patidar stepped in with aggressive intent. His fearless approach against pace — pulling Behrendorff and lofting Archer into the stands — gave RCB the boost they needed during the middle overs.
Patidar’s knock of 68 off just 34 balls was filled with audacious strokeplay. The highlight was his assault in the 14th over when he smashed three consecutive sixes off Shamsi — the first a step-out thump over midwicket, the second a reverse sweep over point, Kohli, Patidar and Krunal star as RCB end ten-year Wankhede jinx 2025 best and the third a helicopter-esque flick over square leg. His ability to read length early and clear the ropes gave RCB a surge of momentum heading into the final stretch.
Krunal Pandya’s Finishing Act
Ironically, it was a former MI player who delivered the final blow with the bat. Krunal Pandya, in his new avatar as a lower-order enforcer for RCB, smashed a 20-ball 40 that lifted RCB to a formidable 204/6. His sixes off Bumrah and Archer were powerful reminders of his hitting prowess, and he finished the innings with a scooped boundary over short fine leg that signaled both personal redemption and intent.
RCB’s Final Score: 204/6 in 20 Overs
A total of 204 was always competitive at Wankhede, but given MI’s history of chasing well at this venue, nothing was certain. RCB had posted similar scores before, only to be undone by late-order fireworks. But on this night, the bowling unit, led by Krunal Pandya and Siraj, held their nerves.
MI’s Chase: The Early Blow
Mumbai began their chase with aggression. Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan launched a quickfire start, taking 47 runs off the first four overs. Rohit was particularly severe on Reece Topley, cutting and pulling with disdain. However, it was Krunal Pandya who turned the tide. Brought into the attack in the fifth over, he trapped Ishan Kishan lbw with a classic arm-ball and then induced a mistimed loft from Suryakumar Yadav two balls later.
The double strike pegged MI back, and when Rohit fell to a brilliant slower ball from Siraj soon after, the Wankhede crowd fell silent. At 63/3, the pressure mounted on the middle order.
Tilak Varma and David Battle On
Tilak Varma, Mumbai’s rising star, tried to stage a counterattack. Partnering with Tim David, the duo took MI past 100 with some clever shot-making and aggressive intent. David, in particular, was brutal on spin, smashing Karn Sharma for a monstrous six over long-on that cleared the stadium roof.
But the turning point came in the 15th over. With the required run rate creeping above 12, David went after Krunal again but mistimed a wide delivery — caught at deep cover by Patidar. Krunal finished with figures of 3/24, easily one of his best IPL performances in recent years.
Harshal and Siraj Seal It
With 54 needed off the last four overs, it was down to Harshal Patel and Mohammed Siraj to close the game. Harshal, with his variations, bamboozled Nehal Wadhera and Shams Mulani, conceding just 6 in the 17th over.
Siraj, bowling the 18th and 20th overs, showed why he has become RCB’s pace spearhead. He removed Tilak Varma with a searing yorker that smashed into middle stump and then bowled a perfect final over to restrict MI to 192/8.
Match Summary: RCB Win by 12 Runs
RCB: 204/6 (Kohli 72, Patidar 68, Krunal 40)*
MI: 192/8 (Tilak 43, Rohit 38, Krunal 3/24)
Kohli’s Statement Knock
Virat Kohli’s innings was a throwback to his dominant 2016 form. His fluency, shot selection, and game awareness stood out. Unlike previous seasons where his strike rate was questioned, here he mixed aggression with control. His 72 off 48 was not just a score, but a statement — that he’s still among the elite in world cricket.
Post-match, Kohli said, “We’ve carried this burden of not winning at Wankhede for too long. Today was about belief, and the team showed it in every department.”
Rajat Patidar: The Game-Changer
Patidar’s innings was exactly what RCB had missed in previous years — an Indian middle-order batter who could take on pace and spin alike. His ability to absorb pressure and then counterattack made the real difference. His chemistry with Kohli was palpable, and his aggression never felt reckless.
Krunal Pandya’s Redemption Arc
Perhaps the most compelling story of the night was Krunal Pandya. Once a Mumbai loyalist and a local hero at Wankhede, Krunal was let go by MI two seasons ago. His 40* and 3 wickets against his former franchise was poetic justice.
He admitted in the post-match interview, “It’s emotional. Wankhede is home, but today I had to prove a point — not to them, but to myself.”
Turning Points
- Kohli’s Stability – His control at the top allowed others to play freely.
- Patidar’s Acceleration – Broke the middle-overs deadlock.
- Krunal’s Double Strike – Kishan and SKY in the same over derailed MI.
- Siraj’s Death Overs – Proved why he’s RCB’s strike bowler in crunch moments.
What This Win Means for RCB
Beyond the two points, this win was psychological. The Wankhede jinx was real — for a decade, RCB had faltered at this ground regardless of form or players. With this win, they not only broke that streak but also sent a strong message to the rest of the league: this RCB side is different.
With players like Patidar stepping up, Kohli in ominous touch, and Krunal providing all-round balance, the Bengaluru side has built depth and resilience. Importantly, they showed they could win away from the Chinnaswamy under pressure — a trait that champions need.
Mumbai’s Woes
MI have now lost three of their last five games at home. Their batting seems over-reliant on the top order, and their spinners have struggled. The pace attack, despite its names, has lacked the clinical edge. Rohit’s form remains patchy, and SKY has yet to find consistency this season.
Final Thoughts
RCB’s 12-run win at Wankhede wasn’t just about points — it was about belief, redemption, and rewriting narratives. With Kohli leading from the front, Patidar showing his worth, and Krunal Pandya turning in a career-defining performance, RCB have found a winning formula.
Ten years of frustration dissolved under the lights of Wankhede. And as Kohli raised his bat and Siraj let out a victorious roar, one thing was certain — RCB are no longer the underdogs in Mumbai. They are contenders, and this win may just be the spark that lights their title run.
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