MI vs RCB promises an exciting clash between two franchises fighting for a place in the playoffs. Mumbai Indians (MI) haven’t been consistent this season, as they managed just five wins in ten games. On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore did make an excellent start to the new season. However, the three-time IPL runner-up has taken just two points from their last three games.
The match will take place at Wankhede on Tuesday at 7:30 PM.
Mumbai Indians
MI needs its skipper Rohit Sharma to fire on all cylinders. The 35-year-old made just five runs, including two ducks, in the last four innings. The fans will be hoping that Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav will continue to flourish. Nehal Wadhera, who struck a fifty against Chennai Super Kings, and Tim David are other reliable batters in the playing 11.
The bowling unit has to raise its game. Apart from Piyush Chawla, no other bowler has been impressive in the MI colors this season. The onus will be on Jofra Archer to grab wickets in the powerplay and ease the burden on Chawla, who has 17 wickets so far. Left-arm pacer Arjun Tendulkar could return to the playing 11 on Tuesday.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
RCB fans will be hoping that the trio of Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, and Glenn Maxwell will come to the franchise’s aid. Du Plessis and Kohli have scored over 900 runs between them. Maxwell, too, has chipped in with excellent knocks this season. It will be interesting to see if the middle order – which includes Dinesh Karthik, Mahipal Lomror, and Suyash Prabhudesai – comes to the party.
The bowling unit, which was put to the sword by Delhi Capitals batters on Saturday, faces a stern test against an excellent MI batting lineup. Mohammed Siraj and Josh Hazlewood are the leading pacers in the RCB bowling department. The Indian pacer has 15 wickets, while the Aussie did well in the last two games. Also, Wanindu Hasaranga is finding his feet after struggling early in the season.
Head-to-Head: MI vs RCB
MI has won 17 of the 31 meetings against RCB in the IPL. The Faf du Plessis-led side are unbeaten in the last four meetings against the five-time IPL champions. Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli steered RCB home against MI in the first fixture between both teams.
MI & RCB IPL 2023 Stats
Top Run-scorer: Suryakumar Yadav & Ishan Kishan – 293 runs (MI); Faf du Plessis – 511 runs (RCB)
Most Wickets: Piyush Chawla – 17 Wickets (MI); Mohammed Siraj – 15 wickets (RCB)
Most Sixes: Tilak Varma – 18 Sixes (MI); Faf du Plessis – 29 Sixes (RCB)
MI vs RCB: Who Will Win?
MI’s biggest strength is its batting, and the hosts will rely on Cameron Green, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tim David. Meanwhile, RCB has Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, and Glenn Maxwell. However, it is the bowling that will likely make the difference. The visitors have quality bowlers – Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood, and Wanindu Hasaranga in their roster, which gives them the advantage over MI.