The Mumbai Indians beat the Royal Challengers Bangalore by two runs in what was a thriller of a contest at Kingsmead in Durban. The Group B clash between the two Indian sides had promised so much even before the start of the tournament and it lived up to its billing. 
The Royal Challengers needed three runs off the last ball to win the game, chasing a target of 166. Virat Kohli, who played an excellent but valiant innings, could only top edge it for the wicket keeper Ambati Rayudu to take an easy catch. Rahul Dravid remained un beaten on 71 on the other side. 
The win was not to be enough for the Mumbai Indians who are out of the tournament. They are in third position with four points, and the winner of the Highveld Lions and Royal Challengers match will go through to the semi finals. South Australia have already qualified with three wins in three games.
The Royal Challengers got off to a racing start getting 41 off their first five overs. However, Abu Nechim Ahmed, playing his first game in the tournament, got the all important wicket of Jacques Kallis to bring Mumbai back into the game. Mumbai then increased the pressure on the Challengers by picking up three wickets in the next eight overs. The wickets were that of Robin Uthappa, Ross Taylor and Cameron White.
Kohli and Dravid then brought the Challengers closer to the target. Kohli scored 47 runs off just 24 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes. Dwayne Bravo was the pick of the bowlers for Mumbai finishing with figures of 2/23 off four overs.
Earlier, a steady innings from Shikhar Dhawan and two quick fire knocks off 29 and 14 from Bravo and Harbhajan Singh respectively, helped the Mumbai Indians to a score of 165 off their 20 overs. Dhawan who has not been able to give the Indians a quick start once again started slowly. However, that steadiness was what Mumbai needed in this game after they lost three wickets in the first nine overs for not many runs on the board.
It will be a disappointing return to home for the Mumbai Indians side who were one of the favorites for the tournament. They made life difficult for themselves by losing their first two games to the Highveld Lions and the South Australia Redbacks. It will be interesting to see who Mumbai retain before the auction for next year’s IPL.