Royal Challengers Bangalore Beat Mumbai Indians By 2 Wickets In IPL 2021 Opener (Match Report)

South Africa's AB de Villiers hit a quickfire 48 as Royal Challengers Bangalore prevailed in a last-ball thriller against holders Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League 2021 season at the MA

Bangalore batsman Devdutt Padikkal missed the game after he was one of the four IPL players to test positive for Covid-19 ahead of the gala event.

All eight teams are in strict bio-bubbles as case numbers in India have skyrocketed to more than 130,000 a day since players arrived to prepare for the eight-week spectacle.

"We are fortunate enough to be on the park playing cricket. That is more important, we can put a smile on people in India," said Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma.

"As a country we are going through tough times and it's important we give them something to look forward to. This tournament is going to be exciting."

Chennai Super Kings, led by former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, will take on Delhi Capitals in Mumbai on Saturday.

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BRIEF SCORES

• Mumbai Indians -  159/9 (20) (Chris Lynn 49,  Suryakumar Yadav 31; Harshal Patel 5-27)
• Royal Challengers Bangalore - 160/8 (20)(AB de Villiers 48, Glenn Maxwell 39; Jasprit Bumrah 2-26, Marco Jansen 2-28) 
• Player Of The Match - Harshal Patel (RCB)

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