IPL 2018, Match 31: Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Mumbai Indians

Royal Challengers Bangalore pacers blew away the Mumbai Indians' top order before shining in the death overs to set up a much-needed 14-run win, which kept them alive in the Indian Premier League Play-offs race, at the M Chinnaswamy stadium.

As the wicket offered turned and pacers too generated pace, Mumbai Indians succeeded in straight-jacketing the RCB batsmen. Since it had rained, there was dampness in the wicket, causing the ball to come a slow on the bat. Vohra broke the shackles by creaming off 22 runs from South African all-rounder JP Duminy's second over.

McClenaghan, though, kept troubling Quinton De Kock(7) , who struggled badly to connect the bat with the ball and was eventually caught brilliantly by Rohit Sharmaat short mid-wicket off the Kiwi paceman.

It brought skipper Kohli at the crease as he came to bat at number four from his usual one-down position. The hosts claimed 20 runs from the 10th over, bowled by Hardik with McCullum hitting him for two sixes and a four.

The visitors' chase suffered a huge setback as they lost three wickets inside four overs. Southee got rid of Ishan Kishan(0) and then Yadav scalped Suryakumar Yadav (9) and rival CaptainRohit Sharma(0) in successive balls.

Kieron Pollard (13) and JP Duminy (23) had an onerous task at hand but Siraj had the West Indian caught behind, leaving Mumbai Indians reeling at 47 for four.

Pandya brothers -Hardik and Krunal -- kept Mumbai in with some smart batting, running hard between the wickets to keep the scoreboard moving.

Birthday girl Anushka Sharma was present at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru to support her team as Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Mumbai Indians by 14 runs,

The RCB bowlers, specially Umesh Yadav, produced hostile fats bowling spell upfront to peg Mumbai Indians back while Tim Southee (2/25) and Mohammed Siraj (2/28) delivered the goods in the death overs.