Yesterday Match Results: RCB, GT dominate Sunday showdowns as IPL heats up

New Delhi: A blockbuster Sunday double-header saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans surge forward in the Indian Premier League, each posting statement victories that shook up the standings and thrilled capacity crowds.

Evening clash: RCB outgun Mumbai at Wankhede Royal Challengers Bengaluru rode a power-packed opening stand to post 240 for 4, their highest total of the season, before resisting a late Mumbai Indians assault to win by 18 runs.

Phil Salt set the tone with a 36-ball 78, clearing the ropes six times and finding the boundary on as many occasions alongside the turf. Virat Kohli rotated strike imperiously in a 50 that anchored a 120-run first-wicket alliance. Skipper Rajat Patidar then detonated 53 from 20 deliveries, reaching his half-century in 17 balls, while Tim David’s unbeaten 34 provided a late surge.

Mumbai’s chase began brightly through Ryan Rickelton’s 37 but lost direction once Rohit Sharma retired hurt with a hamstring complaint. Suyash Sharma’s double-wicket over removed Rickelton and Tilak Varma, and although Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) revived hopes, Sherfane Rutherford’s unbeaten 71 arrived too late as Mumbai finished on 222 for 5.

Afternoon fixture: Buttler, Gill steer Titans past Lucknow Jos Buttler rediscovered his touch with a fluent 60 off 37 balls, featuring 11 fours, as Gujarat Titans hunted down Lucknow Super Giants’ 164 for 8 with seven wickets and eight deliveries to spare at Ekana Cricket Stadium.

Buttler shared an 84-run stand with captain Shubman Gill, who struck 56, to ensure the chase never wavered. Earlier, Prasidh Krishna scythed through the Lucknow top order, claiming career-best T20 figures of 4 for 28. Aiden Markram’s 30 was the hosts’ top score as they mustered 164 for 8.

“Been through a lean patch the last couple of months, but nice to get some good games,” Buttler said after collecting the Player-of-the-Match award. “I’ve played for 15 years and know what to do when I get in.”

With two high-octane fixtures done, the caravan moves to Hyderabad, where Sunrisers Hyderabad will attempt to halt the rampaging Rajasthan Royals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Monday.