A high-scoring clash between the Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League 2026 turned into a marathon encounter, lasting 4 hours and 23 minutes and sparking widespread reactions on social media. The match, held at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, became the longest IPL game without a Super Over, breaking the usual expectation of a fast-paced T20 contest.
Traditionally, T20 cricket is known for its quick turnaround, with matches typically finishing within four hours. However, this game extended well beyond that mark, with the toss at 7 pm IST and the final ball bowled after 11:45 pm. The unusually long duration prompted fans and experts alike to draw humorous comparisons, with many pointing out that the match even exceeded the runtime of Dhurandhar 2, which is close to three hours and 50 minutes.
Among those reacting was former Kolkata Knight Riders director Joy Bhattacharjya, who joked on social media that it was “the first IPL match longer than Dhurandhar 2". His comment quickly went viral, capturing the sentiment of fans who were both entertained and surprised by the extended gameplay. The match’s length was attributed to a combination of high scoring, strategic time usage, and in-game delays.
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On the field, RCB emerged victorious with an 18-run win, continuing their strong run in the tournament. Captain Rajat Patidar led from the front with a blistering half-century, while Phil Salt starred with a rapid 78 off 36 balls to set up a formidable total. Contributions from players like Virat Kohli and Tim David further strengthened the innings, helping RCB post one of their highest totals at the venue.
Despite a strong start in the chase, Mumbai Indians fell short, finishing 18 runs behind the target. Bowlers like Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma played key roles in restricting the opposition. Reflecting on the win, Patidar credited the team’s consistent 200-plus totals as a major confidence booster, emphasising the depth and form of RCB’s batting lineup in IPL 2026.
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