IPL 2018: It's Rohit Sharma against Virat Kohli, who will emerge victorious?

The Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians have had the worst possible start to their IPL season, winning just 2 out of the 6 matches they have played so far. While RCB is seventh on the points table, Mumbai is just above them at sixth place, thanks to their superior net run-rate.

Both the teams have everything they could wish for. World class bowlers, explosive batsmen, and more than decent all-rounders. Yet, there is no sense of sureness in their camps right now. Mumbai and Bangalore, both are forces to be reckoned with, but they have to pull something spectacular to stay in top four.

Source: Hindustan Times

The win against Royal Challengers Bangalore for Mumbai Indians in their fourth game of the season came after three consecutive last-over defeats, against Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Daredevils. They did not kick on from that win, however, losing in the last over again to Rajasthan Royals and being bowled out for 87 by Sunrisers Hyderabad before their much-needed win against Chennai Super Kings last time. Chennai posted 169/5 from their 20 overs, but Mumbai lost just two wickets as Rohit Sharma led them to victory with two balls to spare.

Source: Cricbuzz.com

On the other hand, RCB still hasn’t found a way to win the matches consistently, and the games on their home ground aren’t helping them either. The Bengaluru pitch is slowing down and offering spinners help, but RCB bowlers are just not equipped with what it is needed to defend a total. In their last match against KKR, with the assist of their top 3 batsmen, they scored 175. In the process, Kohli was just his usual phenomenal self. While bowling, only Chahal and Southee were economical. Although Siraj took two wickets, he gave away 40 runs in his 4 overs quota.

RCB VS MI TEAM NEWS

Royal Challengers Bangalore

• AB de Villiers who missed Sunday’s game due to fever is likely to make a return.
• Manan Vohra, Mohammad Siraj and Tim Southee are uncertain starters.

Mumbai Indians

• Evin Lewis was in some discomfort while batting against Chennai Super Kings. The West Indian is likely to be 100% for the game.
• Mayank Markande was ordinary in the CSK game but is likely to keep his place.
• Ben Cutting bowled one over for 14 against CSK. He is an uncertain starter.

RCB VS MI KEY PLAYERS

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

• Kohli is the third highest run-getter in the competition, followed by AB de Villiers at the fourth spot.
• Umesh Yadav has picked 9 wickets in 7 games thus far.

Mumbai Indians:

• Suryakumar Yadav has scored 274 runs for MI in the 7 games.
• Mayank Markande has 10 wickets in the tournament.

Probable Playing XI :

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Quinton De Kock (wk), Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers/Brendon McCullum, Mandeep Singh, Manan Vohra/Pavan Deshpande, Colin De Grandhomme/C Woakes, Murugan Ashwin, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Siraj/Aniket Choudhary/Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal

Mumbai Indians: Surya Kumar Yadav, Ewin Lewis, Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, JP Duminy, Krunal Pandya, Ben Cutting/M Rahman, Mitchell McClenaghan, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah

Prediction

Although RCB would be playing at home, they have not been up to mark as they have struggled to defend totals or contain the opposition from scoring high scores. Mumbai have won the home clash against RCB with Rohit Sharma cracking a brilliant fifty. We believe Mumbai would be motivated to get ahead of RCB in this clash. We think it will be Mumbai’s match.