IPL 9, Match 41 Preview: MI, RCB lock horns in a crucial tie

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will be returning to their den after a morale-boosting victory over Kings XI Punjab in Mohali. Despite back to back wins, the RCB, who are currently lying sixth in the points table, though they will be carrying strong confidence when they meet Mumbai Indians at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore. Mumbai, too, cannot take any game lightly at this stage. Everything went wrong for MI in the last game against Sunrisers. Their bowlers got hammered whereas the batsmen failed miserably to chase the target. They now travel to Bangalore from their adopted home venue for a testing game against RCB. After their loss to the Sunrisers, they are also in a sort of situation where they cannot afford to lose any game.

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

It has been the openers who set up the victories for teams so far in the tournament. And, RCB doesn’t seem to be lacking in that department with Virat Kohli and KL Rahul have been giving breezing starts to the team on most occasions. Chris Gayle may continue to sit out of the playing XI. The franchise would be very happy to see AB de Villiers back in form. His blazing 35-ball 64 runs knock came at the right time for RCB. Allrounder Shane Watson has been the trump card – both with the ball and bat. The addition of Chris Jordan has not made any difference as the bowling attack continues to be fragile. Varun Aaron’s search for his first wicket in the season seems to unending. Iqbal Abdullah and Stuart Binny look only capable of providing support to the frontline bowlers. Apart from Watson, Yuzvendra Chahal has been the only shining light in the pedestrian bowling attack. The bowling unit has many chinks in the armor and must come up with efforts which can complement their batsmen who have been the sole reason why RCB is still alive in the tournament.

Mumbai Indians:

The last time the two teams met, Mumbai Indians had defeated the Royal Challengers, and the Rohit Sharma-led side would hope to repeat the same. MI definitely holds an end over the home team considering the overall balanced side they have on paper.

Led by skipper Rohit Sharma, the batting order would look to mince the comparatively weaker RCB bowling. Ambati Rayudu has been a top performer for the side. But, there are still some weak links. Parthiv Patel, Hardik Pandya, and his elder sibling Krunal Pandya all have struggled to get runs in the last few games. A big significant knock is still due on them. Jos Buttler and Kieron Pollard add the firepower to the side. A bigger advantage that MI possess is their strong bowling attack which has all the ability to counter the fiery RCB batting order led by their skipper Virat Kohli. Mitchell McClenaghan is in fine touch. Jasprit Bumrah may be blowing hot and cold but can be very effective. Tim Southee is the only bowler who has been under-performing. Swapping him with Jerome Taylor can bring more pace in the bowling department.

Probable XI-

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Virat Kohli (C), Lokesh Rahul (wk), AB de Villiers, Shane Watson, Travis Head, Sachin Baby, Stuart Binny, Chris Jordan, Iqbal Abdulla, Varun Aaron, Yuzvendra Chahal

Mumbai Indians:

Rohit Sharma (C), Parthiv Patel (wk), Ambati Rayudu, Jos Buttler, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Harbhajan Singh, Tim Southee/Jerome Taylor, Mitchell McClenaghan, Jasprit Bumrah

StAttack:

1. AB de Villiers need 45 runs to complete 3000 runs in IPL.

2. Suresh Raina holds the record for most runs scored for a single team in IPL. He scored 3699 runs for CSK.

3. Virat Kohli has scored 3698 runs in IPL for RCB. He needs 2 more runs to break Raina’s record.