“RCB vs MI IPL 2023 Highlights: Kohli and du Plessis lead RCB to dominant 8-wicket win over MI”

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) started their IPL 2023 campaign with a bang as they registered an emphatic eight-wicket win over Mumbai Indians (MI) on Sunday. Chasing a target of 172, RCB skipper Virat Kohli and opener Faf du Plessis gave their team a blistering start, adding 148 runs for the opening wicket. Du Plessis was dismissed for 73 off 43 balls by Arshad Khan, but Kohli continued his sublime form and remained unbeaten on 82 off 49 balls, which included six fours and five sixes. Cameron Green sent Dinesh Karthik back to the pavilion for a golden duck, but Glenn Maxwell provided the finishing touch, smashing 12 runs off just three balls to take RCB home with 10 balls to spare.

Earlier in the match, Mumbai Indians were off to a shaky start, losing their top four batsmen for just 48 runs in 8.5 overs. However, young opener Tilak Verma, playing in only his third IPL match, played a brilliant innings of unbeaten 84 off 46 balls to take MI to a respectable total of 171/7. Verma received support from Nehal Wadhela, who scored 21 off 13 balls, and Arshad Khan, who remained unbeaten on 15 off 9 balls. Verma played a key role in Mumbai’s recovery, first adding 50 runs with Wadhela and then sharing an unbroken 48-run partnership with Arshad to take MI to a competitive total.

For RCB, left-arm spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 2/30 in his four overs. Harshal Patel, Kyle Jamieson, and Cameron Green picked up a wicket each, while Mohammed Siraj was the only bowler to go wicketless.

With this win, RCB has started their campaign on a high note, while Mumbai Indians will have to regroup quickly and come back stronger in their next match. RCB will next face Delhi Capitals on April 6, while Mumbai Indians will take on Chennai Super Kings on April 7.