IPL 2018: Match 31, RCB vs MI, Preview- Jaded teams cross swords in a bid for survival

The fate of Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is treacherously hanging by a thread and the road ahead of them demands no complacency. Both have played the equal number of matches and find themselves in grave danger even with half of their games still remaining. The two teams in the bottom half of the points table will now lock horns at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on May 1.

Virat Kohli’s men, after their victories against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and the Delhi Daredevils (DD), seemed to turn the venue as their fortress. However, a couple of back-to-back defeats against the Chennai Super Kings and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) would have dashed the psychological sanctity to a certain extent. The team would be keen to get back to winning ways and crawl forward.

On the contrary, Mumbai Indians didn’t allow the pressure to get the better of them and brushed aside MS Dhoni’s men in Pune. Mumbai, previously, won their home match against the Challengers, however, they won’t be privileged with the crowd and the pitch, which they were blessed with at the packed Wankhede Stadium. In Bangalore, it will all come down to the side who bowls handsomely.

Toss: MI won the toss and elected to field first

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma(c), Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan(w), Jean-Paul Duminy, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Ben Cutting, Mitchell McClenaghan, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah

Royal Challengers Bangalore (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Brendon McCullum, Virat Kohli(c), Manan Vohra, Mandeep Singh, Colin de Grandhomme, Washington Sundar, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

Team Combination

Royal Challengers Bangalore

RCB employed three changes against KKR and they are unlikely to make any alteration despite the defeat. AB de Villiers is unlikely to miss the next game as well and Brendon McCullum will open the batting with Quinton de Kock. Below them, apart from Virat Kohli, the rest of the batting needs to fire in order to inject impetus into their innings.

The bowling did reasonably well against the Knights. Murugan Ashwin was hard to get away and Tim Southee also was impressive. Umesh Yadav was expensive and would be expected to make amends against Rohit Sharma’s men. Yuzvendra Chahal was frugal and Mohammed Siraj was also amongst the wickets. Mumbai have an explosive batting lineup and the RCB bowlers would be up against it.

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians are likely to remain unchanged following their impressive victory against CSK. Suryakumar Yadav and Evin Lewis have delivered the goods for the franchise. Rohit promoted himself above Ishan Kishan, which worked wonders for him, however, whether he sticks to the position or not is yet to be seen. The rest of the batting has floated around and needs to be stabilized.

The bowlers have been more or less up to the mark apart from a few blemishes, which have cost them a number of games. Krunal Pandya’s role in the power-play will be vital for the visitors. Mitchell McClenaghan, Jasprit Bumrah and Ben Cutting also have to be on top of their game. Mayank Markande’s guile and trajectory would also be crucial for the Indians.

Head to Head  

Played 22, Royal Challengers Bangalore- 8, Mumbai Indians- 14, NR/Tie- 0

Stat Attack

JP Duminy (1993 runs) needs seven more runs for completing 2000 runs in the IPL.

Mumbai Indians won seven out of the eight IPL matches they played against RCB in Bangalore.

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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