“We Didn’t Deserve to Win”: Patidar’s Brutal Honesty After RCB’s Last-Ball Escape vs MI in Raipur

In a season full of dramatic finishes, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered perhaps their most chaotic—and honest—post-match press conference yet. After scraping home by two wickets off the final ball against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in Raipur on Sunday, May 10, skipper Rajat Patidar did not hide behind the victory. Instead, he delivered a blunt assessment that cut through the typical captain’s clichés.

“I don’t think we deserved to win the match because with our batting lineup, we should be chasing this target easily,” Patidar admitted, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. It was a confession that perfectly captured the tension of a game where RCB made a mockery of a modest 167-run chase, only to be rescued by Krunal Pandya and a late Bhuvneshwar Kumar six that sent the dugout into delirium.

The win pushed RCB to the top of the IPL 2026 points table, but more importantly, it officially ended Mumbai Indians’ playoff hopes. For Patidar, however, the result was a wake-up call rather than a celebration.

The Chase That Almost Unraveled: RCB’s Powerplay Woes

On paper, chasing 167 on a two-paced Raipur surface seemed manageable for a batting unit boasting power hitters. But from the very first over, RCB’s innings resembled a high-wire act without a safety net. The top order crumbled under the pressure of Mumbai’s disciplined bowling, led by a rejuvenated Bhuvneshwar Kumar—who ironically would later become RCB’s savior.

Inside the Powerplay, RCB slumped to 39/3, a recurring nightmare that has haunted the franchise throughout the season. The early dismissals of Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Glenn Maxwell left the middle order exposed to a spin-heavy attack on a surface that was gripping and turning.

• Kohli edged one to slip after a scratchy 12 off 11.
• Du Plessis was trapped LBW by a sharp delivery from Piyush Chawla.
• Maxwell holed out to deep midwicket, trying to force the pace.

Patidar’s own dismissal for a duck added to the chaos. At 39/3, RCB were staring at a collapse that could have derailed their playoff charge. But then came the man who thrives in the shadows: Krunal Pandya.

Krunal Pandya: The Cramp-Fighting Hero Who Kept RCB Alive

If there was one player who embodied the grit RCB lacked in the Powerplay, it was Krunal Pandya. The all-rounder walked in at No. 5 with his team in tatters and proceeded to play the innings of his IPL career—a 73 off 46 balls that was equal parts technique and tenacity.

Battling severe cramps in the humid Raipur conditions, Pandya anchored a crucial partnership with Jacob Bethell, who contributed a steady 28 off 22. The duo added 68 runs for the fourth wicket, slowly rebuilding the innings without taking unnecessary risks. Pandya’s innings was a masterclass in pacing: he rotated strike against the spinners, punished the occasional loose delivery, and kept the required rate within reach.

“Krunal Pandya has done it for the team,” Patidar said post-match, acknowledging the left-hander’s resilience. “He was cramping badly, but he never gave up.”

Pandya’s knock included four boundaries and two sixes, but his most valuable contribution was the calm he brought to a panicking dugout. When he finally fell in the 18th over, RCB still needed 20 runs from 15 balls—a manageable equation, but one that suddenly felt precarious.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Final-Ball Redemption: From Wickets to Winner

Here’s where the narrative twists like a Bollywood script. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the veteran pacer who had taken 4 wickets for 29 runs earlier in the innings for Mumbai Indians, found himself at the crease with RCB needing 11 runs from the last three balls. The game seemed to be slipping away. Mumbai’s bowlers had clawed back with two quick wickets, and the pressure was suffocating.

But Bhuvi, who had been traded to RCB earlier in the season, showed why experience matters in the clutch. Facing a full delivery from Jasprit Bumrah, he stepped across and launched a stunning first-ball six over deep midwicket—a shot that shifted the momentum entirely. The next ball was a dot, but with two runs needed from the final delivery, Bhuvi calmly pushed a single to long-on, sparking wild celebrations in the RCB dugout.

“I was just thinking, ‘Hit the ball and see what happens,’” Kumar said in a brief on-field interview. “It’s a team game, and I’m happy I could contribute.”

The moment was a microcosm of the IPL: a player who had dismantled RCB’s top order earlier became the unlikely hero for the same team. For Mumbai Indians, it was a cruel end to a season that promised so little and delivered even less.

Mumbai Indians Knocked Out: A Season of Missed Opportunities

With this defeat, Mumbai Indians were officially eliminated from IPL 2026 playoff contention. It was a fittingly chaotic exit for a team that never found consistency. Despite flashes of brilliance from Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan, MI’s bowling attack—led by Bumrah and Chawla—often lacked support from the middle overs.

In Raipur, Mumbai posted a competitive 166/7, thanks to a late cameo from Tim David (34 off 19). But their bowlers couldn’t defend it in the final over, a recurring theme in their campaign. The loss highlighted a deeper issue: a lack of composure under pressure.

• Batting: Top-order failures in crucial games.
• Bowling: Inability to close out tight chases.
• Fielding: Dropped catches that proved costly.

For RCB, the win was a double-edged sword. It sent them to the top of the table, but Patidar’s honesty underscored the fragility of their approach. “We have to learn from this,” he said. “We can’t rely on miracles every time.”

Expert Analysis: What This Means for RCB’s Playoff Push

As a sports journalist who has covered every edition of the IPL, I can tell you this: RCB’s win in Raipur was a smoke-and-mirrors job. The top-order collapse against a modest MI attack is a red flag that cannot be ignored. If they face a stronger bowling unit in the playoffs—say, Chennai Super Kings or Rajasthan Royals—they will be punished.

However, there are positives. Krunal Pandya has emerged as a reliable finisher, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar adds depth to both bowling and batting. The Raipur surface was tricky, but the playoffs will be played on faster tracks, which might suit RCB’s aggressive style.

Predictions:

• RCB will need to fix their Powerplay batting—expect changes in the opening combination.
• Krunal Pandya will be the X-factor in the knockout stages.
• Mumbai Indians will rebuild around Bumrah and Suryakumar for IPL 2027.

Conclusion: A Win That Feels Like a Warning

Patidar’s admission that RCB “didn’t deserve to win” was not just humility—it was a strategic truth. In the IPL, luck can carry you through a league stage, but it rarely wins you a trophy. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru now sit atop the standings, but the cracks in their armor are visible to everyone.

For Mumbai Indians, the season ends in disappointment, but the foundation for a comeback remains. For RCB, the road ahead is fraught with danger. One thing is certain: if they repeat this performance in the playoffs, even Bhuvneshwar’s six won’t save them.

Final Score: RCB 168/8 (20 overs) beat MI 166/7 (20 overs) by 2 wickets.

Source: Based on news from India Today Sport.