Royal Challengers Bengaluru registered a comfortable 18-run win at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, April 12, against the Mumbai Indians.

Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bowl first. However, the visitors threw the first punch with Phil Salt and Virat Kohli’s scintillating 120-run partnership off 65 balls. The former scored 78 off 36 balls, while the latter played second fiddle and finished with 50 off 38 balls.

Rajat Patidar played a blinder of a knock as his 17-ball half-century lit up the Wankhede Stadium and even the Mumbai Indians’ fans had to applaud the batting masterclass from the Bengaluru skipper. Tim David also played a fine cameo as the touring side finished on 240/4 in their 20 overs.

In reply, Mumbai Indians started well, with Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton taking the attack to the opposition bowlers. However, Rohit had to leave the field with a hamstring issue and this turned out to be a problem for Mumbai.

Suryakumar Yadav joined Rickelton in the middle but their partnership yielded only 15 runs off 11 balls. Suyash Sharma struck twice in the eighth over to send Rickelton and Tilak Varma back to the hut. Suryakumar was eventually dismissed for 33 off 22 balls in the 13th over.

Hardik Pandya scored 40 off 22 balls and gave the home fans some hope but Jacob Duffy ended his stay at the crease in the 15th over. Sherfane Rutherford single-handedly tried to take his team to an improbable win. However, Mumbai Indians needed runs from both ends, which they didn’t get. In the end, Rutherford finished unbeaten on 71 off 31 balls as Mumbai lost by 18 runs.

Talking Points

Phil Salt – Form is temporary, class is permanent 

There were a few concerns regarding Phil Salt’s form at the top of the order. He didn’t have a great T20 World Cup performance with the bat and in the first three games, he only contributed 54 runs. Some fans and experts were wondering whether it’s time to bring Jacob Bethell into the side in place of Salt. However, the RCB management backed the England wicketkeeper and it paid dividends. Salt amassed 78 off just 36 balls, hitting six fours and six sixes. The tourists never really looked back after the opening stand.

Jasprit Bumrah goes wicketless for the fourth consecutive game

Jasprit Bumrah has been economical, but Mumbai Indians would love to see their talismanic pacer getting among the wickets. The experienced campaigner has played four matches this season but the wickets column still remains empty. The five-time champions are missing a bowler who would get them wickets, either with the new ball or through the middle overs.

Rajat Patidar continues purple patch

What a tournament Rajat Patidar has been having. The RCB skipper led from the front last season and continues to do so in 2026. The 32-year-old promoted himself to No. 3 to continue from where Salt had left. He did them with aplomb, scoring 44 off the first 11 balls he faced. Eventually, the right-handed batter scored 53 off 20 balls, with the help of four fours and five sixes to help RCB dominate through the middle overs.

Who said what

Hardik Pandya, Mumbai Indians captain:

Yes (lost too many wickets) and at the same point of time, I think we conceded way too many (runs) as well. I think that was always going to be catch-up. I think in the last couple of games, as a bowling unit or even as a batting unit, we’ve been catching up in the game rather than leading the game. We really need to reflect, really need to see what best we can do and how we can get that momentum and that click which we require. We have a couple of days off from here and we will play again. To be very honest, now a lot of things need to be rethought. Definitely, it’s not working. A couple of games we have won the toss, but maybe we need to see what other options we have as a batting group or bowling group. Looking at the kind of wicket it’s playing, if we can bat well, that would be good. We still need to play good cricket, we need to bat well, we need to bowl well. If we do that, then irrespective of the toss, we will be fine. That’s what we are planning and talking about, how do we get some momentum in the powerplay. Because if you see, in both batting and bowling, we are kind of trying to catch up in the powerplay. As you said, a lot of options will be asked and explored. We will see what we can do in the next game. When we got him (Rutherford), it was always exciting for us. We always knew the kind of potential and the kind of power he has. The way he batted gives us extra cushion and at the same time confidence that if we want to make some changes or see what the team requires, we can definitely do that because of the way he’s batting.

Rajat Patidar, Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain:

I think, you know, whenever we come here in Mumbai, especially at this ground, the atmosphere, the fans, and playing along with them and playing in a full-packed stadium – that’s a different feeling. It was, I would say it’s a more clarity about every individual, I would say (on the strong batting). And the way Virat Bhai and Salt started the innings, I think that kept us in the driving seat. Then a good cameo by me and Tim (David), I think that was a pure team effort. To be honest, people used to say that I love playing spin, but if someone asks me, I would say I love playing pace. And playing pace on this track, I think it’s a very good track to play a fast bowler. So I think I love (facing) fast bowling. I don’t know yet, but I think he, I feel that he’s okay right now (on Virat Kohli).

Phil Salt, Player of the Match:

Honestly, I’ve got no idea myself. There are a few highs and a lot of lows, and you can’t ride both of them. Just stay as even as you can, and I’m just pleased I could come out and put a performance in for the lads. Yes, I’d say so (on his batting philosophy). Some of these grounds aren’t the most bowler-friendly, so you’ve got to keep the mentality that you’re going to keep going at the opposition. And then not forget your assets as a player. It’s about being a match-winner, isn’t it? I know I can’t get runs every game, nobody can. But if I can be as impactful as possible, then I’m on the right path. Really well (on RCB’s batting). And to be honest, we probably had a few more in the tank. I think, you know, in the second ten of our innings, they actually shut us down quite nicely at times. So, you know, promising signs for us as a batting unit. I think they bowled well then.

Chennai Super Kings registered a commanding 23-run victory over Delhi Capitals in Match No. 18 of the Indian Premier League 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Saturday, April 11.

After being put into bat, CSK posted an imposing 212/2 in their 20 overs. Sanju Samson led from the front with a sensational unbeaten 115 off 56 balls, anchoring the innings with authority, while Ayush Mhatre provided excellent support with a brisk 59 off 36 before retiring out. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad could not get going, struggling with an 18-ball 15. Shivam Dube added the finishing touches with a quickfire unbeaten 20 off 10 balls, ensuring CSK crossed the 200-run mark comfortably.

In response, DC had a promising start but kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Pathum Nissanka got them going with a fluent 41 off 24, while KL Rahul and others failed to convert their starts. Despite the setbacks, Tristan Stubbs kept DC in the contest with a fighting 60 off 38 balls, holding the innings together.

Just when it seemed like DC could push the game deep, CSK bowlers struck at crucial intervals to shift the momentum. Jamie Overton led the charge with a brilliant four-wicket haul, dismantling the middle and lower order. He was well supported by Anshul Kamboj, who picked up three key wickets to keep the pressure intact. Khaleel Ahmed, Gurjapneet Singh and Noor Ahmad picked one wicket each.

Earlier, DC looked competitive during phases of the chase, but their inability to build partnerships hurt them. Despite Stubbs’ resistance, the required rate kept climbing, and CSK’s disciplined bowling ensured the visitors were bowled out for 189.

Below are the funniest memes from CSK vs DC in Match No. 18 of IPL 2026:

The Chennai Super Kings got themselves off the mark in the 2026 Indian Premier League with a 23-run win over the Delhi Capitals in Match 18 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Being put into bat, the Super Kings got to 212/2 at the end of their 20 overs, courtesy a brilliant unbeaten 115 off just 56 balls from Sanju Samson. He manipulated the field with ease and displayed the elegance associated with his batting. Ayush Mhatre scored 59, supporting Samson before Shivam Dube’s quickfire unbeaten 20 off 10 took CSK to an imposing total.

The hosts carried that momentum forward into their second innings as they never allowed Delhi to settle in their batting innings. They were superb in the field and kept picking up wickets in key phases of the innings.

Jamie Overton picked up four wickets, while Anshul Kamboj finished with three. Pathum Nissanka scored 41 off 24 at the top, while Tristan Stubbs played a valiant hand of 60 off 38, but it was not enough as the Capitals were bowled out for 189. This was the CSK’s first win of the 2026 season, and it leaves the Kolkata Knight Riders as the only winless team in this edition.

Talking Points

1) Sanju ‘Chettan’ arrives in style

Sanju Samson’s trade to the Super Kings was one of the most talked-about transfers in IPL history. After a string of low scores to start the IPL season, Samson finally announced himself in front of the Chepauk faithful with a brilliant knock of 115. His innings, coming off just 56 balls, was laden with the trademark mix of power and smarts that is associated with the best of his knocks. 

With 15 fours and four maximums, he manipulated the field and displayed his wide array of shots, a feature he displayed amply during his marvellous T20 World Cup campaign. Lovingly called ‘Chettan’ (Malayalam for older brother), CSK fans will be hoping that this is just the start for their new star man.

3) Mhatre becomes the first to be retired out in IPL 2026

The 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre became the first batter to be retired out in IPL 2026. The Mumbai batter scored his second half-century of the season. He was batting on 59 off 36 balls when he was called out in favour of Shivam Dube in the 18th over. The decision paid off for the Super Kings, with Dube’s late fireworks helping them reach 212/2 at the end of their 20 overs, it will be a point of discussion due to Mhatre being well-set at that point. The youngster also looked visibly disappointed when he walked off.

3) Is Ruturaj Gaikwad batting at the wrong position?

Chennai Super Kings’ skipper found success in his short 2025 campaign batting at number 3. He excelled in taking on the spinners and scoring once the ball got a bit older. In 2026, he has once again pushed himself up to open the batting. He had a poor outing against the Capitals, scoring 15 runs off 18 balls. He has not been able to make his mark, with two single-digit scores and a highest score of 28. This begs the question of whether his position is at the top of the order or at one-drop. 

4) CSK click with ball and in field

Chennai Super Kings were dismal with the ball in their first three games, but against the Delhi Capitals, they were right on the money. The Capitals were never able to get their innings going due to the regular wickets picked up by CSK bowlers. Jamie Overton was the picK with figures of 4-0-18-4, bowling at pace and hitting the wicket hard, while Anshul Kamboj finished with three wickets. They were also intense in the field, diving around to stop runs and taking brilliant catches.

Who said what

Axar Patel, Delhi Capitals captain

“I think we got off to a good start, but if we talk about the chase, after the powerplay we lost two or three wickets in quick succession, which broke the momentum. I feel the difference in fielding was the game-changing moment for me. And if you look at it, whenever wickets fell, they fell in pairs, which made things very difficult. Wickets kept falling in clusters, and that led to a drop in momentum. I think the batsmen did a decent job, but overall our fielding let us down, because if you look at it, chasing around 213-215 was pretty much possible. I would like to credit the bowlers, they did a very good job restricting the opposition to around 215-217. It was a very good batting wicket. But as I said, if we hadn’t dropped one or two catches in the field, the result could have been different. (Did the pitch slow down?) No, nothing really changed. I think it was tougher for them, maybe because of the dew and they bowled pretty well.”

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chennai Super Kings captain

“Feels good to finally get the win. It was a great performance to start with. We have been really batting well batting first. This wicket is on the slower side and it was a good total. Sanju took on the opposition and even Ayush played well. Tonight was about the bowlers. We don’t have the X-Factor in the bowling but we try to discuss how we can put in something extra. Try and use your lengths really well is something we can do. Even in the last game one or two odd big overs went against us. Yes we were set on the backfoot in the powerplay tonight but we came back very well. Chennai fans are always there behind us no matter what. I have been receiving so many good messages. Wherever we go, they are always backing us. Lovely people enjoying cricket and loving the franchise.”

Sanju Samson, Player of the Match

“Really means a lot. The trust they (CSK franchise) showed in me, it was a very responsible feeling that I need to put in a show and say we are still in the tournament. Not easy to start off at a different franchise but it never felt like it. It was like coming to a second home. We just had a meeting of 50 seconds today (despite three losses) – that connects with the kind of person I am (smiles). I failed a lot. Failing a lot tells you how to come back. Mentally, you think if you need to go hard or change the game-plan. You need to bring your body and mind to basics. Basics are to get in a mentally different zone. We need to come back to timing the ball, and watching it come out nicely from the bowler’s hand. Very happy things have come (out) nicely today. Very important to have a great partnership. It never looked like he (Mhatre) was coming out of U-19 – he was so calculative. Shows the character he has. (On his hundred celebration) That was for Fleming. I know how hard it can get, leading a franchise for five years. Just wanted to dedicate this (innings) to Fleming.”