New Delhi, June 19: Senior Congress leaders reached party President Rahul Gandhi's mother Sonia Gandhi's residence to greet the former's 48th birthday on Tuesday.

Party supporters got into a celebratory mood, dancing to the beat of drums in the morning outside the Congress office on Akbar Road here. 

There were similar vibes outside 10 Janpath Road, Sonia Gandhi's residence, where Youth Congress members led the celebrations. 

They also went inside to meet Rahul Gandhi. 

Among the leaders visiting Sonia Gandhi's residence were Ajay Maken, Randeep Surjewala, P.C. Chacko and most of the steering committee members including Manmohan Singh, A.K. Antony, Ambika Soni, Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ashok Gehlot. 

This is Rahul Gandhi's first birthday after becoming the party President.

He was born on this day in 1970 to Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted him. "Birthday greetings to Congress President Rahul Gandhi. I pray for his long and healthy life," Modi tweeted.

 

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Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.

Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.

In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.

Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.

While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.

Brief scores:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).

Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).