IPL 2023, RCB vs MI: Preview, Pitch Report, Probable XIs, Fantasy Tips & Prediction
MI will take on RCB on Sunday night [Source: IPLT20.com]
On Sunday, two Indian stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, will be up against each other as Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on Mumbai Indians at the iconic Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru. With both teams comprising some T20 superstars, we expect a cracking contest tomorrow night.
Team Preview: Royal Challengers Bangalore
Faf du Plessis will lead RCB [Source: IPLT20.com]
Led by Faf du Plessis, RCB have a star-studded lineup, consisting of Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj and Dinesh Karthik.
While Du Plessis will open alongside Kohli, the likes of Rajat Patidar, Maxwell and Karthik are pretty much capable of neutralising the opponent bowling attack. The bowling unit will be led by Siraj, who will be instrumental for the home side with both new and old ball.
However, RCB will miss their two key players- Wanindu Hasaranga and Josh Hazlewood- who won't play this game. But they have Reece Topley and Michael Bracewell, who can certainly compensate for these two in their lineup.
Team Preview: Mumbai Indians
Suryakumar Yadav will play a key role for MI [Source: IPLT20.com]
Just like RCB, Mumbai Indians will also be devoid of their strike bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. So, the onus will be on Jofra Archer to lead the pace attack alongside Jason Behrendorff and Cameron Green.
On the other hand, their batting unit looks rock-solid on the paper, comprising Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Tim David. However, the primary concern for MI will be the batting form of their top three, who have blown hot and cold in international cricket of late.
So, ideally, the blue brigade would like their key batters to regain their mojo and hope that Archer puts up an impactful performance, for which they have been waiting for two seasons. Also, it will be interesting to see how they use Green, both with bat and ball.
Match Details
Date & Time: April 2, 07.30 PM IST
Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Live Streaming: Jio Cinema & Star Sports Network
Pitch Report: The surface at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore has traditionally been a batters' paradise and is expected to play its typical role in this game as well. It will be on the flatter side, with a hint of turn for the spinners. So, we reckon a high-scoring affair is on the cards, with the toss-winner deciding to bowl first.
Probable Playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Faf du Plessis (C), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Michael Bracewell, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Reece Topley, Akash Deep
Impact player probables: Mahipal Lomror, Suyash Prabhudessai, Avinash Singh, Karn Sharma, Manoj Bhandage
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Cameron Green, Tim David, Ramandeep Singh, Jofra Archer, Kumar Kartikeya, Jason Behrendorff, Akash Madhwal/Sandeep Warrier
Impact Player Probables: Vishnu Vinod, Piyush Chawla, Shams Mulani, Nehal Wadhera, Arshad Khan
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicket-Keeper: Dinesh Karthik
Batters: Suryakumar Yadav, Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Faf du Plessis/Virat Kohli
All-Rounders: Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed
Bowlers: Jason Behrendorff, Jofra Archer, Reece Topley
Captain: Suryakumar Yadav
Vice-Captain: Jason Behrendorff/Reece Topley
Prediction
The team batting second will definitely have an advantage at the venue. However, considering the strengths of both teams on paper, we reckon Mumbai Indians will start as the favourites to win this face-off.
 "Debashis Sarangi")
