RCB vs MI, 31st Match at Mumbai, IPL, Apr 15 2019 - Ball by Ball Commentary

11.58pm: Well that's that. Another loss for RCB, who have yet more to add to their list of 'things to correct this season'. Hardik's end-overs big-hitting continues to be amazing, but most surprisingly perhaps, Rohit Sharma - who you think would know the Wankhede pitch inside out having grown up here - says he still doesn't understand it! On that note, this is Saurabh signing off on behalf of Ankur and Raghav.

11.52pm: Rohit Sharma: "(Hardik's hitting) Ya he has been (at a different level) It's helping the team and helping him as well. He wanted to contribute with bat and ball in this particular season. He didn't have much cricket before IPL so he wanted to prove a point, to himself more than anyone else. The way he's hitting holds us in a better position. It will help us win those crucial games. (On Malinga) I've been talking about him more often, how he's been an important member of this squad. His performance matters to us. Now he's back from Sri Lanka with that sort of performance. It will help us moving forward because his form is very critical. Trust me, bowling at Wankhede in the death overs is not easy. He held his nerve against one of the best in the world. Credit to the bowlers as well to restrict a strong RCB line-up to 170. If the pitch plays like that, I dont' want to chase! one thing I've learned this season is I've still not been able to figure out the pitch at Wankhede. Luckily we got a good start and the guys lower down could build on that platform, otherwise it would have not been easy."

Lasith Malinga is Man of the Match: "Last couple of weeks have been a tough time for me, I had to go to Sri Lanka and play the domestic tournament. But I realised that when I get a chance, I have to give 100%. These kind of tournaments you have to prepare mentally. Skill-wise we know what we have to do. We know exactly who can do damage, and AB is the main guy. When he got out, I used my variations and took wickets."

11.48pm: Here's another spot by Gaurav Sundararaman: The last time Negi bowled to Hardik at the death, when 30 off 2 overs were required, Hardik hit 24 runs and won the match. This was against CSK.

11.38pm: Mumbai were in control for most of that chase despite the wobble induced by Chahal and Moeen. Makes you wonder why no Washington Sundar still in RCB - this was a pitch where they needed another spinner. Hardik's finishing has hit another level in this IPL. He's invariably come in and backed himself to go big, and gone big. Incredible power on show. RCB's call to bowl Negi and hold Saini back didn't come off. Was a questionable one anyway.

Virat Kohli: We played a pretty good game I guess. I think with the ball in the first six overs we were not right up there. Conceding 65 in six, it was always difficult to come back from that. We had to take a chance with the spinner at the end with two right-handers in. (On Moeen) He is striking the ball so well and he's bowling with a lot of heart and determination. It's good to see a senior player in the team taking responsibility. He deserves all the credit for his performances. We just have to enjoy ourselves, play the way we did in the last two games and try to show more composure in those pressure situations. Take those half-chances. The catch that went down off Hardik could have been a game-changer.

Hardik Pandya: Thankful to the openers for setting it up, made it easy for us. I felt RCB didn't bowl well in the Powerplay and that hurt them. The way the wicket started playing, I thought they were looking at 170-180 because even AB was finding it difficult to hit. I think AB's wicket was important, it made a 15 run difference which would have been handy at the end.

Ashok : "Another infamous 11 off 21 was the one scored by Yuvi in the 2014 T20 WC final..." - but with 22 off 12 needed and Hardik and Pollard here, you'd still back MI. Negi is back meanwhile

Pollard at the non-striker's end because the Pandyas crossed

Siraj

fine leg coming into the circle

41 needed off 24 with the Pandyas at the crease. Navdeep has the ball. Chahal and Moeen are bowled out. Mid-off moving in, long-on back