IPL 2018: Match 14, MI vs RCB: Clash of heavyweights as Mumbai look for their first win

MI are still to win in the campaign.

A must win game for both captains.

Winless in the campaign so far, the Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians will be eager to get on board with a win as they play Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Wankhede stadium tonight. 

Interestingly Mumbai has lost all three matches at their home ground so far, one which has been the fortress for them for a decade. 

More than the perfect team combination it was the poor bowling performance which has subjected to Mumbai's losses so far. All three teams, CSK, SRH and DD have won their matches chasing against Mumbai so this certainly leaves them with a lot to think about getting a perfect bowling attack. 

As far as their batting is concerned Rohit Sharma hasn't yet returned to form which is  a big concern for the management. The likes of Lewis, Ishan Kishan have been getting to 30s and 40s but not going on is a big concern. Mayank Markande has been  the only bowler wo has been makking some noise from the Mumbai camp. No other bowler has been able to perform to their potential as Mumbai await a win to get their campaign started. 

RCB, on the other hand, have their own concerns. Their batting looks sorted with the top four of McCullum, De Kock, Kohli and AB de Villiers. What really has been hurting them is their bowling combination. Their bowlers have been clicking individually while they have lost out putting up a composite effort. 

A composite bowling effort is what RCB needs to put up against Mumbai who are also down on their chips after three defeats on the bounce and that too at home. 

 A day ahead of the game, Mumbai Indians gave their fringe players considerable time in the nets and RCB decided to take rest. Maintaining the fatigue level will be the key and to ensure that undesired results don't wear them out mentally. Both would desperately need a win on Tuesday to get going.

The match will be played in Mumbai which means the conditions will be hot and humid and the pitch a batting friendly one. With good batters on both sides, we have another high scoring encounter on offer if the pitch goes by its script and reputation. 

Toss : Royal Challengers Bangalore have won the toss and have opted to field

Playing XI 

Mumbai Indians : Suryakumar Yadav, Evin Lewis, Ishan Kishan(w), Rohit Sharma(c), Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Mitchell McClenaghan, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah, Mustafizur Rahman

Royal Challengers Bangalore : Quinton de Kock(w), Virat Kohli(c), AB de Villiers, Mandeep Singh, Corey Anderson, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, Chris Woakes, Umesh Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 17 Apr, 2018

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