RCB will take on MI on Sunday [Source: IPLT20.com]
On Sunday, Royal Challengers Bangalore will lock horns with Mumbai Indians in the fifth match of the Indian Premier League 2023. Both teams comprise some outright match-winners, so we expect a high-voltage clash in Bangalore.
Meanwhile, there are some on-field rivalries which can determine the outcome of the game. Let's analyse and list such four player battles to watch out for in this face-off.
Rohit Sharma vs Reece Topley
Rohit Sharma [Source: IPLT20.com]
In the absence of Josh Hazlewood, English speedster Reece Topley will likely open the bowling alongside Mohammed Siraj. Let me tell you, the tall left-arm pacer does bring it back into the right-handers at a good pace. Therefore, he poses a certain threat to MI skipper Rohit Sharma, who usually doesn't seem comfortable against left-arm swing bowlers.
Furthermore, Topley has an upper hand over the Indian stalwart, dismissing him thrice in international cricket.
Rohit Sharma vs Reece Topley (Overall): 64 balls, 64 Runs, 3 dismissals, average- 21.33
Virat Kohli vs Jason Behrendorff
Virat Kohli will open the batting for RCB [Source: IPLT20.com]
Arguably India's finest-ever T20 batter, Virat Kohli has been the backbone of RCB's batting unit over the years. However, the talisman doesn't have a great record against MI's Jason Behrendorff, whom he will face straightaway in Sunday's encounter.
Virat Kohli vs Jason Behrendorff in T20 cricket: 14 balls, 17 runs, 2 dismissals, average- 8.5
So, as evident from above stats, it will be a challenging task for Kohli to face Behrendorff, especially with the new ball.
Suryakumar Yadav vs Shahbaz Ahmed
SKY doesn't have great numbers vs SLAs [Source: IPLT20.com]
Despite being a prolific T20 batter, Suryakumar Yadav has mostly found it tough to get going against slow left-arm spinners. Statistically, the batter has been dismissed 11 times by SLAs, managing 260 runs at a poor strike rate of 101.6 in T20s.
Suryakumar Yadav vs SLAs in T20s: 260 Runs, 11 dismissals, average- 23.6, SR- 101.6
So, considering how destructive he can be when set, RCB will depend on Ahmed to restrict Yadav to a low score on Sunday.
Glenn Maxwell vs Jofra Archer & Kumar Kartikeya
Maxwell shaking hands with Rohit Sharma [Source: IPLT20.com]
Although Glenn Maxwell has played his role as a spin hitter for RCB to perfection, the dynamic Australian batter has time and again been troubled by high-pace hit-the-deck bowling. So, when he arrives, Rohit Sharma should definitely bring in Jofra Archer, who hits the deck at a rapid pace.
Furthermore, Archer has kept Maxwell calm in the shortest format, dismissing him twice in 17 balls.
Glenn Maxwell vs Jofra Archer in T20 cricket: 17 balls, 14 runs, 2 dismissals, average- 7
Maxwell's battle with Kumar Kartikeya will also be exciting, considering his stunning numbers against left-arm wrist spinners in T20 cricket.
Glenn Maxwell vs left-arm wrist spinners in T20 cricket: 307 runs, 7 dismissals, average- 43.85, SR- 188.34
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