IPL 2018: Match 14, MI vs RCB, Preview - Hosts keen to avoid the familiar script in yet another herculean clash

Mumbai Indians (MI) have been teased and tickled so far in last three matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL). They could’ve topped the points table had they won all the three but the script has gone agonisingly wrong for them every time. The defending champions are eager to get out of the rut and gain some winning momentum under their belt. But they have the strong outfit Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) stacked against them and will have to play their best cricket in order to defeat them.

The fans of MI are still not worried as historically the team has come back stunningly well and has gone on to win the tournament as well. But on a serious note, they will have to resurrect the issues in their team soon as almost all teams have found their perfect combinations now. Their gun finishers are struggling at the death overs, may it be with the bat or ball. It will be interesting to see if they bank on them once again or make any drastic changes for this game.

Problems aplenty for RCB once again. It is seeming like no different than last year so far with their bowling attack looking toothless. Virat Kohli was extremely upbeat about their bowlers ahead of the tournament but the grim look on his face when Royals’ batters were pummeling them the other day said it all. The onus will once again be on the star-studded top four batsmen in their line-up and if one of them gets stuck in it will be a tough day for Mumbai bowlers.

The pitch at the Wankhede is expected to be full of runs as it was in the last game but the evening game means there will be dew which can affect the grip of the ball. Expect the teams winning the toss to chase again which has been the trend barring a few matches.

Toss: RCB won the toss and elected to field first

Royal Challengers Bangalore (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Virat Kohli(c), AB de Villiers, Mandeep Singh, Corey Anderson, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, Chris Woakes, Umesh Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Suryakumar Yadav, Evin Lewis, Ishan Kishan(w), Rohit Sharma(c), Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Mitchell McClenaghan, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah, Mustafizur Rahman

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Team Combinations

Mumbai Indians

The hosts are expected to bring in Adam Milne into the side who has played for RCB before at the expense of Akila Dananjaya. The off-spinner leaked a lot of runs in the last game. The remainder of the line-up should remain same as Krunal and Mayank will take over the spin-bowling duties. The batting order has set-up nicely for now and they should continue with the same until anything goes horribly wrong. Also, the bowlers like Mustafizur Rahman and Jasprit Bumrah should come to the party now for them.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Chris Woakes may be dropped from the playing XI for RCB and Tim Southee might come in for him as he has the experience of playing at the Wankhede Stadium before. Even the former has been leaking runs and Southee is a better death overs bowler than him on current form. The top 4 has to click at any cost for the team in Red else a lot is left to achieve for the likes of Mandeep Singh and Washington Sundar who have impressed with the bat so far.

Chahal is slowly regaining his lost rhythm and was the best bowler in the last game for them. Umesh Yadav has to be consistent and can’t blow hot and cold more often and the same applies to Kulwant Khejroliya as well.

Focus will be on

Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai Indians)

Suryakumar Yadav had never opened in the IPL before the last game and got his team off to a sensational start. Surely, he will once again be entrusted to do the job at the top of the order. Though he will have to be careful that he doesn’t throw his wicket away while going for runs. The powerplay could sometimes be very tricky which can lead to collapses as well so it’s important for him to continue playing in the same vein and establish himself as an opener this season.

Brendon McCullum (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

The former Kiwi skipper has been guilty of throwing away his wicket in the last couple of games. He will have to take some responsibility of scoring at the top so that there is not much pressure on the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. May be he can play second fiddle to Quinton de Kock for this game and see how it works. A set batsman like McCullum will literally dent the confidence of the bowlers in the middle overs after which the upcoming explosive batsmen can take over the mantle.

Head to Head

Played 21, Mumbai Indians- 13, Royal Challengers Bangalore- 8, NR/Tie- 0

Stat Attack

5 – Mumbai Indians have lost five of their last six matches at the Wankhede Stadium. They lost their last four games at the venue since defeating RCB in the last season.

Broadcast details

TV– Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Jalsha (Bengali), Star Maa Movies (Telegu), Star Sports Tamil

Online– Hotstar & YuppTv

Match Timings: 20:00 IST, 14:30 GMT

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