IPL Live Cricket Score (IPL), sponsored by TATA, has already proven to be a rollercoaster of emotions, high-octane performances, and nail-biting finishes. On April 7, 2025, the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai played host to the 20th match of the tournament, pitting two IPL heavyweights against each other: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI). This clash was a tale of resilience, explosive batting, tactical brilliance, and a dramatic finish, with RCB emerging victorious by 12 runs in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final ball.
Pre-Match Build-Up
Coming into the game, RCB were riding a wave of confidence. With three wins from their first four matches, they sat comfortably in third place on the points table. Led by captain Rajat Patidar, RCB had found a rhythm, blending the experience of stalwarts like Virat Kohli with the exuberance of their bowling attack, featuring Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Krunal Pandya. Their recent triumph over Kolkata Knight Riders in the season opener and a rare victory against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk signaled that this could be a breakout year for a franchise long burdened by the tag of perennial underachievers.
Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, were in a precarious position. IPL Live Cricket Score With just one win from their first five games, the five-time champions were languishing near the bottom of the table. Hardik Pandya, back as captain after a blockbuster trade, faced mounting pressure to turn the team’s fortunes around. Despite boasting a star-studded lineup featuring Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Tilak Varma, MI had struggled to find consistency, particularly in the powerplay and death overs. The Wankhede faithful, known for their unwavering support, hoped their team could use the home advantage to script a much-needed comeback.
The pitch at Wankhede, known for its batting-friendly nature due to its red-soil composition and short boundaries, promised a high-scoring affair. With dew expected to play a role in the second innings, the toss was crucial. Hardik Pandya won it and elected to bowl first, banking on MI’s ability to chase down big totals—a strategy that has historically suited them at this venue.
First Innings: RCB Set a Mammoth Target of 221/5
RCB’s batting innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, spearheaded by their top order. Virat Kohli, opening the innings with Devdutt Padikkal, set the tone early. Trent Boult, MI’s new-ball spearhead, struck in the first over, but Padikkal’s immediate counterattack—a boundary off his first ball—signaled RCB’s intent. The powerplay yielded 73 runs, with Kohli (36 off 19) and Padikkal (32 off 15) punishing anything loose. Kohli, in particular, looked in vintage form, unleashing slog sweeps against the spinners to race to a 29-ball fifty—his fastest in the IPL since 2018.
IPL Live Cricket Score MI fought back in the middle overs, with Hardik Pandya’s disciplined bowling and Vignesh Puthur’s left-arm wrist-spin slowing the run rate. Padikkal fell for 37 off 22, and Hardik’s wide lines accounted for Kohli (67) and Liam Livingstone in the same over, leaving RCB at 144/5 with 33 balls remaining. However, captain Rajat Patidar took charge, stitching together a crucial partnership with Jitesh Sharma. Patidar’s 64 off 32 balls, at a strike rate of 200, included a flurry of boundaries and sixes, while Sharma’s late cameo propelled RCB to a formidable 221/5.
Jasprit Bumrah, returning to the MI lineup, bowled three tight overs, but the rest of the attack struggled to contain RCB’s firepower. Hardik finished with 2 wickets, as did Boult, but the total felt imposing on a ground where MI had chased down 213 against Rajasthan Royals in 2023. The question now was whether MI’s batting could rise to the occasion.
Second Innings: MI’s Chase – A Thrilling Rollercoaster
IPL Live Cricket Score Chasing 222, MI needed a strong start, but RCB’s bowlers had other plans. Josh Hazlewood struck early, dismissing Ryan Rickelton via a successful DRS review, with ball-tracking confirming the ball would have crashed into middle and off. Bhuvneshwar Kumar kept things tight, conceding just a handful of runs in his opening spell, while Suyash Sharma’s unconventional action troubled MI’s top order. Suryakumar Yadav, dropped twice, struggled to find fluency, managing only 8 off 13 before falling in the 12th over. At 99/4 after 12 overs, MI seemed out of the contest, needing 123 runs off the last eight overs—a near-impossible ask.
Enter Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya. The duo ignited MI’s hopes with a breathtaking 89-run partnership off just 34 balls. Tilak, fresh off a tactical retirement in MI’s previous game, smashed 17 runs off Suyash’s final over, while Hardik unleashed his fury against Hazlewood, hammering a six, four, six, and four in a single over. His 42 off 15 balls was a reminder of his match-winning pedigree, and Tilak’s fifty kept MI in the hunt. By the 17th over, the equation had come down to 41 off 18 balls—challenging but achievable with Hardik in full flow.
However, RCB’s bowlers staged a stunning comeback. Bhuvneshwar Kumar outfoxed Tilak (caught for a valiant 50-plus score) with a slower ball in the 18th over, and Hazlewood dismissed Hardik off the first ball of the 19th, swinging the momentum back in RCB’s favor. With 28 needed off 11 balls, MI’s hopes rested on Naman Dhir and Mitchell Santner. Santner smashed a six in the penultimate over, bringing the target down to 19 off the final over, but RCB captain Patidar had one last trick up his sleeve—Krunal Pandya.
The Final Over: Krunal Pandya’s Heroics Seal the Deal
Clutch Mode, ft. Krunal Pandya 🫡
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 7, 2025
3️⃣ wickets. 1️⃣ Final Over. Defended 1️⃣9️⃣ runs ❤️
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/ArsodkwOfO#TATAIPL | #MIvRCB | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/cpzDvEp8K6
IPL Live Cricket Score With MI’s frontline pacers bowled out, Krunal Pandya was entrusted with the 20th over—a decision that would define the match. Facing Santner, Dhir, and Deepak Chahar, Krunal held his nerve under immense pressure. He started by dismissing Santner, caught at long-off by Tim David, and followed it up by removing Chahar on the next ball, thanks to brilliant teamwork in the deep—Phil Salt juggling the catch and tossing it back to David to complete the dismissal. Naman Dhir kept MI alive with a boundary, but Krunal sealed the game by bowling him out, finishing with figures of 4/45—his best in the IPL. MI ended at 209/9, falling 12 runs short.
Live Score Updates: A Snapshot of the Thrilling Contest
Here’s how the match unfolded through key live score updates:
- RCB 73/1 after 6 overs: Kohli and Padikkal dominate the powerplay.
- RCB 123/3 after 13 overs: Hardik and Bumrah pull things back.
- RCB 221/5 after 20 overs: Patidar and Sharma provide the finishing kick.
- MI 50/2 after 6 overs: Hazlewood and Kumar stifle the powerplay.
- MI 116/4 after 13 overs: Tilak and Hardik begin the fightback.
- MI 202/6 after 19 overs: Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood strike crucial blows.
- MI 209/9 after 20 overs: Krunal’s triple strike hands RCB victory.
Key Performances and Turning Points
- Virat Kohli (67 off 36): His aggressive intent set the platform for RCB’s total.
- Rajat Patidar (64 off 32): The captain’s explosive knock earned him the Player of the Match award.
- Krunal Pandya (4/45): His death-over heroics turned the game in RCB’s favor.
- Hardik Pandya (42 off 15): A valiant effort that nearly pulled off the impossible.
- Tilak Varma (50+): His partnership with Hardik kept MI alive.
- Josh Hazlewood: His impeccable lengths and key wickets shifted momentum.
The turning point came in the 19th over when Hazlewood dismissed Hardik, followed by Krunal’s clinical final over. RCB’s decision to hold Krunal back for the 20th, as praised by Sanjay Bangar, showcased Patidar’s tactical acumen—a move that MI couldn’t counter.
Post-Match Analysis: What It Means for Both Teams
For RCB, this victory was more than just two points—it was a statement. Breaking a decade-long jinx at Wankhede and moving to six points from eight underscored their credentials as serious contenders. Patidar’s leadership, Kohli’s form, and a bowling unit firing on all cylinders suggest RCB could finally shed their “chokers” label in 2025.
MI, meanwhile, face an uphill battle. With four losses in five games, their slow start mirrors previous seasons, but the margins have been agonizingly close. Hardik’s late blitz and Tilak’s consistency offer hope, but the top order’s struggles and bowling inconsistencies need urgent attention. Jasprit Bumrah’s return is a positive, yet MI must find a way to harness their full potential if they are to salvage their campaign.
Fan Reactions and Atmosphere
The Wankhede crowd, despite the loss, was electric, IPL Live Cricket Score roaring with every Hardik six and Tilak boundary. RCB’s traveling supporters, chanting “RCB! RCB!” in the stands, celebrated a rare triumph at this fortress. Social media buzzed with praise for Krunal’s composure and Patidar’s captaincy, though MI fans lamented another near-miss in a season of fine margins.
Conclusion
The TATA IPL 2025 20th match between RCB and MI was a classic IPL encounter—high scores, big hits, and a finish that went down to the wire. RCB’s 12-run victory on April 7, 2025, will be remembered for its intensity and the individual brilliance that defined it. As the tournament progresses, both teams will look to build on this game—RCB to sustain their momentum, and MI to ignite a turnaround. For now, though, the night belonged to Bengaluru, who conquered Wankhede after a decade, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this storied rivalry.
