The 18th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2022) will see Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) taking on Mumbai Indians (MI) at the MCA Stadium in Pune On April 9, 2022, in the second match of the double-header.
RCB have started their IPL 2022 well, winning 2 matches out of 3 played, but the five-time IPL champions MI are yet to win a match in the three encounters they have played thus far. Much of the problem for MI stems from Rohit Sharma not being able to impose himself at the top and their bowling unit leaking runs.
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On the other hand, RCB has found a terrific playing combination and has done well in all departments.
Keeping this in mind, Here is the COC Predicted Playing XIs for the RCB v MI match in Pune.
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE
While Anuj Rawat has not fired yet, RCB is more or less willing to overlook that given the rest of the batting unit has flourished, however, if needed, Mahipal Lomror may open the innings with Du Plessis, who has been in great form and present a bowling option as well.
Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik, and Shahbaz Ahmed have been excellent with the bat, with Ahmed being a surprise, showcasing his true potential as an all-rounder. The biggest plus for the Bangalore team will be the entry of Glenn Maxwell, which further strengthens their batting.
David Willey has been doing good with the new ball and has contributed with the bat as well, while Dinesh Karthik has become the finisher that even the Indian team may look out for.
Wanindu Hasaranga has found his niche and is picking wickets in crucial times in middle overs, making life easy for the RCB captain and Shahbaz Ahmed has also contributed well with the ball.
Harshal Patel, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj have formed a very potent bowling combination that has worked well for them, and given the fragile MI batting lineup, expect RCB bowlers to come at them with full force.
MUMBAI INDIANS
For Mumbai Indians, batting form has been the main issue, rather than batting combination. While Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma have been in superb form with the bat and now Suryakumar Yadav has joined in the fun as well, captain Rohit Sharma’s silence with the bat is now being noticed.
Dewald Brevis showed his immense talent on his debut in the previous match and Kieron Pollard showed off his hitting skills, all of these things should come in together to help MI win the matches.
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However, their biggest issue remains their bowling attack, which is led by Jasprit Bumrah. Daniel Sams was torn apart by Pat Cummins who took him for 35 runs to win the match from no position for KKR and it might result in Fabian Allen coming in his place as the match is being played in Pune.
While Bumrah has been excellent, the rest of the bowlers have leaked runs at possibly the worst times, or have not taken wickets when most needed.
This means Tymal Mills, and Basil Thampi must step up to support Bumrah and M Ashwin, or MI can opt for the experience of Jaydev Unadkat in such crunch times.
RCB COC Predicted Playing XI:
Faf du Plessis (C), Anuj Rawat, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, David Willey, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep
MI COC Predicted Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Dewald Brevis, Kieron Pollard, Fabian Allen, M Ashwin, Tymal Mills, Jasprit Bumrah, Basil Thampi
