Mumbai Indians teen Tilak Varma got here up with a superb 84 not out off simply 46 balls with 4 sixes and 9 fours to present the five-time champions a preventing probability of their IPL 2023 opening match in opposition to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Bengaluru on Sunday (April 2). However, Tilak’s brilliance was not sufficient to stop his aspect from crumbling to eleventh loss within the opening match of IPL for Mumbai Indians.
There was lots to like about Tilak Varma in his sensible innings – none extra so than his sensible ‘helicopter’ shot within the remaining over of the Mumbai Indians innings off RCB pacer Harshal Patel. The shot got here off the ultimate ball of the ultimate over as Tilak nonchalantly flicked Harshal into the stands which reminded followers of MS Dhoni and his trademark ‘Helicopter’ shot.
WATCH Tilak Varma’s Helicopter shot vs Harshal Patel HERE…
Tilak Verma … wow! And the helicopter was a cherry in high. #IPL23 #MIvsRCB pic.twitter.com/xNzjH9BCyg
— Sheel Majumdar (@SheelMajumdar) April 2, 2023
MI batters didn’t get going barring Tilak Verma, who scored an unbeaten 84 off 46 balls that helped MI submit a good 171 for 7. “Tilak played brilliantly, but he didn’t get much help. I think 170 on a really small ground was not a good total. I think 190 could have been a par total,” stated Mumbai Indians bowling coach Shane Bond after the match.
“We didn’t bowl well. We knew how important the opening partnership is going to be. We couldn’t break it and failed to apply pressure even,” Bond added.
The five-time champions misplaced their eleventh consecutive season opener, happening to Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight wickets on Sunday. The final time MI received their opening recreation was manner again in 2012, after they defeated Chennai Super Kings.
“This is my ninth season and we haven’t won our opening game. So it’s getting frustrating. At the end of the day, it’s a tough competition. It’s always better to have more wins than losses. It’s a tough way to start,” Bond stated on the post-match press convention.
(with PTI inputs)
