IPL 2021: MI vs RCB Match 1 Preview, Possible Playing XI, Conditions
Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore will start off IPL 2021 on 9 April 2021. If you are IPL fan, you know that bit already. What you might be interested in would be what is going to be the playing XI for both sides, what to expect from the pitch, who has the better odds going into the match. Don’t worry, we will cover everything here.
Preview – Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
What – Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Match 1, IPL 2021
When – 9 April 2021(Friday) – 7:30 PM IST
Where – MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, IN
Check complete IPL 2021 fixtures here
Mumbai Indians have won the last two seasons and go into this season with hardly any weakness. That is why Rohit Sharma might already be dreaming of becoming the first captain to win 3 IPL trophies back to back. But if IPL has taught us anything, it is that even heavyweights can fail to qualify for the playoffs many times.
Prime example is his MI team itself who failed to reach top 4 in 2018 season. RCB are the second example who always boast of their batting prowess but has no trophy to show for it.
This year, they have added IPL traveller Glenn Maxwell to the squad for an hefty price. But it might be form of their two Indian recruits which might be making them a lot happy.
Devdutt Paddikal had a dream of a season as he finished as second highest scorer in Vijay Hazare trophy 2021 with 737 runs. Mohammad Azharuddeen also played some cracking knocks and would be an ideal candidate to start with in the middle order.
However, the bigger difference lies in the bowling lineup for both teams. While Mumbai’s bowling have won them trophy after trophy, RCB has always struggled to find the right combination.
Yuzvendra Chahal’s recent poor form might have added to those headaches already. New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson is fine addition but is largely unproven in the T20 format. Whether RCB could find the right bowling or not will define their season.
Pitch & Condition
Chennai offers a lot to spinners. Even with a flat pitch to start the season, it is likely that the spinners might get some purchase. 170-180 could be a par score. Dew Factor will affect bowling second though. So, expect teams to win the toss and chase.
Playing XI
Quinton de Kock is likely to be unavailable because of 7 day quarantine period. The same is going to be the case with New Zealand fast bowler Adam Milne. The unavailablity for both these men might mean that Jimmy Neesham could get a game to start with.
Chennai’s pitch has ideally suited spinners. So, it will be interesting to see if Mumbai ditches their usual pace heavy approach to include either of Piyush Chawla or Jayant Yadav.
- Rohit Sharma(c)
- Ishan Kishan (wk)
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Hardik Pandya
- Kieron Pollard
- James Neesham
- Krunal Pandya
- Nathan Coulter-Nile/Jayant Yadav
- Rahul Chahar
- Trent Boult
- Jasprit Bumrah
With Virat Kohli set to open and Paddikal clear of COVID-19, ABD and Maxwell might well take #3 and #4 spots. With Daniel Sams out with COVID-19, Dan Christian will likely take up #6. If ABD takes the keeping gloves, it might allow RCB to take Sachin Baby or Rajat Patidar to take #5 spot. Otherwise, they will have to go with Mohammad Azharuddeen. Kyle Jamieson is likely to get a nod ahead of Kyle Richardson.
- Virat Kohli
- Devdutt Padikkal
- AB de Villiers
- Glenn Maxwell
- Mohammed Azharuddeen(wk)/Rajat Patidar
- Daniel Christian
- Washington Sundar
- Kyle Jamieson
- Navdeep Saini
- Mohammed Siraj
- Yuzvendra Chahal
Head to Head
Mumbai Indians have won 8 of their last 10 matches against Royal Challengers Bangalore. One of those losses was in a super over last season. However, RCB managed to run the other game last season very close.
Overall, MI has won 17 out of 27 games against RCB which is their second-most wins. They have beaten CSK 18 times. But, they have lost all of their last 8 opening matches in IPL. Will that change this time.
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