IPL 2023: Predicted Playing XIs for Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
RCB beat Mumbai Indians by eight wickets in their last meeting | Source: Twitter
Mumbai Indians will lock horns with Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 54th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 on Tuesday, May 9 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Both teams have had a similar run in the tournament so far, having won five out of their ten matches. However, Royal Challengers Bangalore's run rate is slightly better, which has placed them secure one spot ahead of the Mumbai Indians in the points table.
They will be facing each other for the second time this season. In their last face-off, RCB had a convincing victory over Mumbai Indians, winning by eight wickets. The five-time champions will be looking to seek revenge and turn the tables in this game.
That being said, it's time to delve into the predicted playing XI for both Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore:
Mumbai Indians
Openers: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan
The captain of Mumbai Indians, Rohit Sharma, has been going through a rough patch with the bat lately. In a bid to turn things around, he came in to bat at number three in the last game against Chennai Super Kings. However, the experiment didn't yield the desired results as neither Cameron Green nor Ishan Kishan, who opened the innings, could get going.
Later, Rohit Sharma himself registered a three-ball duck. With the IPL playoffs looming, and all the teams looking to find their best possible combination, it seems unlikely that Rohit Sharma will persist with the experiment of batting at number three. All in all, Mumbai Indians will probably revert to their tried-and-tested opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan.
Middle Overs: Cameron Green, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Nehal Wadhera
Mumbai Indians will be happy to have Tilak Varma back in their line-up for this match, after he missed the last game against CSK due to injury. Varma is currently their leading run-scorer this season, and his return will strengthen their middle order.
Meanwhile, Cameron Green and Tim David will continue to bat in the middle order, where they have shown glimpses of their potential in previous matches. Nehal Wadhera also impressed in the last game with a patient half-century, and he will be hoping to build on that performance.
Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Piyush Chawla, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Arshad Khan
Mumbai Indians' bowlers have had a tough time against Chennai Super Kings in the last match, with only Piyush Chawla managing to contain the opposition. He will be their key bowler in this game as well.
Jofra Archer will be spearheading the pace attack, but his form has been patchy in recent games, with him struggling to contain the runs. The likes of Arshad Khan and Akash Madhwal also need to step up and deliver their best.
Predicted Playing XI of Mumbai Indians:
Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Cameron Green, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Nehal Wadhera, Jofra Archer, Piyush Chawla, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Arshad Khan
Impact Players:
Suryakumar Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Ramandeep Singh, Vishnu Vinod
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Openers: Faf du Plessis, and Virat Kohli
The ongoing season of the Indian Premier League has witnessed Royal Challengers Bangalore owning the most destructive opening duo, and their numbers support this claim.
Faf du Plessis, who has been the epitome of consistency this season and is currently the leading run-scorer of the tournament, has racked up 511 runs in 10 matches. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has amassed 419 runs in 10 matches.
Middle Order: Anuj Rawat, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Kedar Jadhav
Royal Challengers Bangalore made changes to their middle order by bringing in Anuj Rawat and Kedar Jadhav in their last game against Delhi Capitals. They are expected to continue with the same middle order, which also includes Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik, and Mahipal Lomror.
The form of Glenn Maxwell and Dinesh Karthik has been a concern for the team. Maxwell's lack of impact outside the Chinnaswamy stadium and Karthik's poor form have raised questions about their ability to perform in crunch games.
With the playoffs fast approaching, both players will have an opportunity to prove their worth in this match.
Bowlers: Wanindu Hasaranga, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood
After a lot of experimentation, the Royal Challengers Bangalore have finally found a bowling attack that is clicking. The quartet of Wanindu Hasaranga, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood, and Karn Sharma has been doing a great job for the team. Siraj's form, in particular, has been nothing short of exceptional, while Hasaranga has also been impactful with his spin bowling.
Predicted Playing XI of Royal Challengers Bangalore:
Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Anuj Rawat, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Wanindu Hasaranga, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood
Impact Players:
Harshal Patel, Shahbaz Ahmed, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Michael Bracewell, Suyash Prabhudessai.
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