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Royal Challengers Bangalore's former captain Virat Kohli missed his first fifty of IPL 2022 by a whisker against five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI), however, Faf Du Plessis-led side cantered to an easy seven-wicket victory on Saturday.
When RCB were well on their course of chasing a total of 152, Virat Kohli was left stranded on 48 in a controversial LBW decision as he was dismissed on the first delivery off Dewald Brevis. The on-field umpire adjudged LBW but Kohli immediately reviewed the decision, knowing that he edged the ball.
Kohli used the DRS, but to no avail. While walking back, Kohli also smashed his bat on the ground. By the time he got out, the Challengers were already in a commanding position. In the end, they won the game by seven wickets with nine balls left.
However, Kohli looked dejected as he vented out his frustration even as he was walking back to the Pavillion. An animated Kohli was seen entering the dressing room at the MCA.
As per rules if the ball hits bat and pad simultaneously then it is deemed not out but the 3rd umpire thought otherwise.
Earlier, it was Suryakumar Yadav's unbeaten 68 that gave Mumbai Indians a respectable total of 151 for 6 but that was never going to be enough as young Anuj Rawat (66 off 47 balls) struck his maiden IPL fifty, anchoring the team to the target in just 18.3 overs.
He had two fifty plus partnerships -- 50 for opening stand with skipper Faf du Plessis (16) and 80 with former skipper and his West Delhi Cricket Academy senior Virat Kohli (48 off 36 balls) for the second wicket to seal the issue.
Rawat scored at a decent strike-rate if not rollicking one and had two fours and six maximums in his kitty.
For RCB, Harshal Patel (2/23 in 4 overs) was brilliant with his variations as most of the MI batters had no idea about his slower deliveries, which were primarily off-cutters with occasional loopy block-hole balls that drifted.
Mumbai Indians are currently last in the table of 10 teams because of inferior net run-rate compared to CSK but the road towards redemption is becoming difficult with every passing match.
