IPL 2020, RCB vs MI: Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians produced an absolute treat for the cricket fans in Dubai on Monday night. Both the sides displayed virtually inhuman hitting capabilities with MI almost chasing down the mammoth 202 set by the Bangalore boys, only to lose in the super-over later on. Mumbai’s run chase was led by young Ishan Kishan who smashed 99 runs off 58 balls.  

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What surprised fans though was the fact that Kishan didn’t come out to bat in the super over, despite spending close to 90 minutes on that pitch. In fact, he got out only on the second last ball when Mumbai needed 5 runs off 2 balls. Instead, the management opted for the hard-hitting duo of Keiron Pollard and Hardik Pandya.  

Why Ishan Kishan didn’t come out to bat? 

As Pollard and Pandya failed to score a single boundary in the super over, you could see an absolutely gutted Ishan Kishan sitting in the dugout, almost regretting the decision to not come out to bat. But, why didn’t he? 

After the match, Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma explained that the former India Under 19 captain was drained out and not comfortable.  

“He (Kishan) was drained out and was not comfortable. We thought we could send him but he was not feeling fresh. I mean 7 runs you need to have luck on your side, we had to get wickets but there was also an unfortunate boundary. There are a lot of positives to take away from this game,” Rohit added. 

Earlier, half-centuries from Aaron Finch, AB de Villiers and Devdutt Padikkal helped RCB to a strong 201/3. MI, in their chase were dented early, restricted to 78/4 in the 12th over. But a partnership of 119 between Kishan and Pollard brought MI right back in the game, with the West Indies all-rounder staying unbeaten on 60 off 24 balls with three fours and five sixes.