RCB vs MI, IPL 2023, Match 5: Bangalore Secures an 8-Wicket Victory Over Mumbai with Stellar Performances from Kohli and du Plessis

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Mumbai Indians by eight wickets in an IPL 2023 match played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The match marked RCB’s happy homecoming after 1247 days, and the team did not disappoint the fans. RCB’s bowlers got wickets in power-play and middle overs to restrict Mumbai Indians to 171/7. Young Tilak Varma shone with an outstanding 84 not out off just 46 balls for Mumbai Indians. In reply, Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli put on a majestic display of strokeplay, rattling Mumbai’s bowling attack. Du Plessis made 73 off 43 balls, including five fours and six sixes, while Kohli was in sublime form, scoring 82 not out off 49 balls, laced with six fours and five sixes. RCB chased down the target of 172 in 16.2 overs to get their IPL 2023 campaign off to a winning start. Mohammed Siraj, Reece Topley, and Karn Sharma starred for RCB, reducing Mumbai Indians to 123/7 after being 48/4 at one point. However, Varma continued to match forward for Mumbai Indians, hitting nine boundaries and four sixes at a strike-rate of 182.6. Despite wickets falling around him, Varma continued to get runs, pulling off Karn through fine leg for four. He reached his fifty in 32 balls with a terrific heave over deep square leg for six off Akash Deep. When Harshal Patel gave some width, Varma freed his arms to slash through point for four. He then lofted and pulled Siraj for a brace of boundaries in the 19th over where the fast bowler gave four wides. Varma pulled Harshal in the gap through square leg for four in the final over, before ending the innings with a helicopter shot to send a fuller delivery over long-on for six, as 22 runs came off the final over. RCB’s Kohli-du Plessis star helped them secure an 8-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians.