Indian T20 League 2021: Match 1 MUM vs BLR - MPL Fantasy Cricket Tips, Prediction, Playing XI and Pitch Report

Match Info

Match 1 – Mumbai vs Bangalore

Venue – MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Time – 7:30 PM IST

Preview

The much-awaited Indian T20 League is set to commence on April 9 with the marquee game between Mumbai and Bangalore. The five-time champions look like a settled unit but it is still unclear if Quinton de Kock will be available for the opening game of the season. He flew to India via a chartered flight after the 2nd ODI against Pakistan. For Bangalore, Daniel Sams won’t be available as he tested positive for COVID-19 48 hours before the match.

Probable Playing XIs

Mumbai

Rohit Sharma (C), Quinton de Kock (WK)/Chris Lynn, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Nathan Coulter Nile/Piyush Chawla, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah

Bangalore

Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar/Mohammad Azharuddeen, Sachin Baby/Suyash Prabhudessai, Daniel Christian, Washington Sundar, Kyle Jamieson/Kane Richardson, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Top Picks

Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai)

Suryakumar Yadav is now an international player and the way he showed his skills at the highest level, his confidence will be sky-high. Even in the last season, he scored 480 runs in 15 innings at an amazing strike-rate of 145.01. Surya will continue to be key for Mumbai not only in the first match, but also throughout the season.

Virat Kohli (Bangalore)

It is not a surprise that Virat Kohli, the Bangalore skipper, is the top pick for this match. Kohli will open the innings and will get to face maximum deliveries if he bats through 20 overs. He is also in great form and is not new to opening having amassed 2345 runs at the position in 61 innings in IPL.

X-Factor Player

Washington Sundar (Bangalore)

Washington Sundar doesn’t look like a threatening player when it comes to T20 cricket. But he quietly does his job especially with the ball. More often than not, he will open the innings with the ball and picks up an odd wicket while also being economical. Sundar, if he gets a chance, can tonk the ball as well like he showed on the Australia tour and against England in Tests at home. He can earn a handful number of points in Fantasy cricket.

Fantasy Teams

Fantasy Team 1 – For Head to Head Contests/Small Leagues

Ishan Kishan, AB de Villiers, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Virat Kohli (VC), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Glenn Maxwell, Rahul Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj

Fantasy Team 2 – For Grand/Mega League Contests

Ishan Kishan (VC), AB de Villiers, Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal (C), Kieron Pollard, Washington Sundar, Daniel Christian, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.