Rohit Sharma (Image credit: BCCI/IPL) NEW DELHI: After a batting onslaught led by Phil Salt, Virat Kohli and skipper Rajat Patidar lit up the Wankhede Stadium, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru amassed a daunting 240/4 against Mumbai Indians. As the target was set, all eyes turned to Rohit Sharma, who is known for his ability to dismantle any bowling attack.Rohit made a cautious start in the steep chase before shifting gears, but his innings was cut short by injury. At the end of the fifth over bowled by Krunal Pandya, Rohit appeared to be struggling with a hamstring. He flagged down a physio and received treatment on the field, but with worsening discomfort eventually left injured after scoring 19 off 13 balls. Cameras soon caught the dejected reaction of his wife Ritika Sajdeh in the stands.Earlier, RCB’s top order produced a batting master class. Salt smashed 78 off 36 balls and stitched a 120-run opening stand with Kohli making 50 off 38 balls. Patidar then continued the carnage with an incredible 53 off just 20 deliveries and added 65 runs with Kohli. A late cameo from Tim David (34* off 16) secured RCB with a huge total.After being put in to bat, Kohli set the tone early by dismissing Trent Bouult while Salt soon joined the attack. The duo dominated both Boult and Jasprit Bumrah and raced to 71/0 in the powerplay.The salt was particularly harsh on Mitchell Santner and Mayank Markande as he reached his fifty in just 25 balls. Kohli soon followed to take RCB to 100 in 8.4 overs. The breakthrough came through Shardul Thakur, who ended the opening stand on 120. Patidar then took charge and launched a brutal counter-attack, including three consecutive sixes off Markande. He raced to a 17-ball fifty before falling to Santner.Despite wickets at intervals, RCB’s momentum never waned. Contributions from Jitesh Sharma and a late run from Tim David took the total to 240/4.For Mumbai Indians, Shardul, Hardik Pandya, Santner and Boult picked up a wicket each, but the bowlers were largely on the receiving end of RCB’s relentless batting.
