Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli In IPL [Source: @wikkie_18/x.com]
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Mumbai Indians are two of the most talked about teams in the Indian Premier League. While the RCB is known for their huge fanbase and loyal following, the Mumbai Indians are known for their consistent performance in the league over the years.
Besides being two of the most discussed teams in the tournament, RCB and MI have also been in the limelight for their rivalry. There have been some memorable player battles when these two teams have clashed in the Indian Premier League. Both teams remember some of their legends fondly and boast the fact that they have graced the team with their presence over the years. In this article, we will look at the best all-time combined playing 12 of RCB and MI.
Openers For RCB-MI Combined XI
Chris Gayle For RCB [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com
Chris Gayle
Matches: 85 Runs: 3,163 Average: 43.33 Strike Rate: 152.73 (for RCB)
The West Indian left-handed batter is considered one of the greatest ever to have played the T20 format. He left his mark and impact as a batter in the IPL, too. However, Chris Gayle's best qualities were seen during his time in Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Not only was Gayle destructive, but he also was brilliantly consistent in the impact he left for RCB at the top of the order.
Rohit Sharma
Matches: 212 Runs: 5,458 Average: 29.50 Strike Rate: 131.08 (for MI)
Rohit Sharma has been one of the most successful captains in the tournament's history. Besides being an able leader with five IPL titles under his belt, Sharma has also been an impactful presence for MI at the top of the order. His ability to change the course of a match with his impactful long knocks makes him the second opener in this team.
Middle Order For RCB-MI Combined XI
Virat Kohli
Matches: 252 Runs: 8,004 Average: 38.67 Strike Rate: 131.97
Virat Kohli has been synonymous with RCB since the beginning of the tournament. He has mostly played as an opener for them; however, with Chris Gayle and Rohit at the top, Kohli’s ideal batting position in this line-up seems to be at number three. Kohli, with his consistency and dynamic batting, can be the perfect fit for the position in this combination.
Suryakumar Yadav for MI [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]
Suryakumar Yadav
Matches: 96 Runs: 2,986 Average: 35.13 Strike Rate: 148.41 (For MI)
Suryakumar Yadav has established himself as one of the best batters in the T20 format in recent times. His ability to come in the top order and play dynamic, game-changing knocks makes him a valuable part of this playing combination.
AB de Villiers
Matches: 156 Runs: 4,491 Average: 41.20 Strike Rate: 158.64 (for RCB)
When it comes to impact, consistency, and utility, there are a few names we can take over, such as AB de Villiers. At his peak, AB de Villiers looked like a player from a different planet with superhuman skills and abilities. The fact that he has been one of the greats of RCB is clear from the stats. There is no way, we can leave out ABD from this playing XI. Also, his ability to keep wickets will be useful in getting the best combination for this side.
All-rounders For RCB-MI Combined XI
Hardik Pandya
Matches: 106 Runs: 1,692 Strike Rate: 152.43 Wickets: 53 Economy: 9.40 (for MI)
Hardik Pandya’s presence was crucial to MI’s performances during the five championship runs, and it was evident from the fact that in his absence, the team struggled to get the perfect combination on the field. Besides being a crucial finisher with his big-hitting abilities, Pandya could be a very handy presence during the team's bowling effort.
Kieron Pollard
Matches: 189 Runs: 3,412 Strike Rate: 147.32 Wickets: 69 Economy: 8.77
Kieron Pollard has been the hero for MI in many impossible matches. Pollard could change the momentum of a game in his team’s favour from even the most impossible-looking situations. The presence of Pollard in the batting line-up will add depth, power and dynamism to the batting line-up. Besides his destructive batting, Pollard can add variety and depth to this side's bowling attack as well.
Bowlers For RCB-MI Combined XI
Harbhajan Singh
Matches: 136 Wickets: 127 Avg: 26.78 Strike Rate: 22.98
Harbhajan Singh has been one of the best spinners for the Mumbai Indians in their history. The Indian spinner changed many games around in the middle overs for the Mumbai Indians when he played for them. Besides, Singh could make handy contributions with the bat in the lower middle order. His presence not only strengthens the bowling but also adds depth to the batting of this side.
Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah [Source: @CricWatcher11/x.com]
Lasith Malinga
Matches: 122 Wickets: 170 Avg: 19.85 Strike Rate: 16.63
So far, Lasith Malinga has been the best bowler in the history of the Mumbai Indians. Malinga turned around many crucial games with his near-perfect death-over bowling skills. Besides being a brilliant bowler in the death overs, Malinga also made valuable contributions with the bat in the lower order.
Jasprit Bumrah
Matches: 133 Wickets: 165 Avg: 22.52 Strike Rate: 18.50
Jasprit Bumrah has carried forward the legacy left behind by Lasith Malinga. The ace Indian pacer has established himself as one of the best bowlers in all formats. The combination of Malinga and Bumrah will cause nightmares for many teams.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Matches: 113 Wickets: 139 Avg: 22.04 Strike Rate: 17.44 (for RCB)
Yuzvendra Chahal has so far been the best spinner in the history of RCB. He was not only an economical option for his captain but also an effective wicket-taking option for the team. With his efficiency in the middle overs, Chahal will be an important part of this team.
Impact Player For RCB-MI All-Time XI
Glenn Maxwell (RCB)
Glenn Maxwell delivered brilliantly for RCB during the first two seasons for RCB. With his ability to contribute with both the bat and the ball Maxwell could be a very useful impact player in this team adding depth, variety and flexibility to the line-up.
RCB-MI All-Time XI
Chris Gayle ✈️ (RCB)
Rohit Sharma (C) (MI)
Virat Kohli (RCB)
Suryakumar Yadav (MI)
AB de Villiers ✈️ (WK) (RCB)
Hardik Pandya (MI)
Kieron Pollard ✈️ (MI)
Harbhajan Singh (MI)
Yuzvendra Chahal (RCB)
Jasprit Bumrah (MI)
Lasith Malinga ✈️ (MI)
Glenn Maxwell (RCB)