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IPL 6: MI vs RCB- Mumbai Indians Preview

As we move onto the second and very important phase of this year’s Indian Premier League, a classic encounter awaits us today at Wankhede, Mumbai, as the Mumbai Indians face off against the unstoppable Royal Challengers Bangalore. It also might be appropriate to term this encounter as the ‘Clash of  Indian Titans’ with legend Sachin Tendulkar pitted against legend-in-making Virat Kohli. Fresh off a win over KKR, Mumbai might be on a high now, but their journey so far this season has been full of ups and downs. They started with a loss to RCB at Chinnaswamy stadium, but followed it up with three consecutive wins. However, they lost a bit of steam after that to lose two games in a row. This forced MI captain Ricky Ponting, who has not been able to find form so far, to drop himself and give some match-winning overseas players like Dwayne Smith a chance.

Finding himself among the runs, Rohit Sharma is the new appointed captain of MI, which came as a surprise to many considering that Champions League-winning captain Harbhajan Singh is in the squad as well. But after their convincing win over KKR under Rohit Sharma, many have started to believe that it was probably the right call made by the team management. However, he might have to face the biggest challenge today as his side is up against table toppers RCB. Moreover, his main concern will be the ‘Gaylestorm’, which might blow them away if Chris Gayle continues from where he left off in the match against Pune Warriors. Gayle’s 175* off 66 balls in that match smashed almost all the records in IPL so far. Even if they somehow manage to nullify him, the MI bowlers will have no respite with RCB’s in-form middle order comprising of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers having the capability to snatch the game away from them any time in the match.

The likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Dwayne Smith, Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik and Kieron Pollard make MI’s batting look quite fearsome. Regarding MI’s bowling, Mitchell Johnson has been very economical, picking up wickets as well. Lasith Malinga is gradually coming back to his ‘yorking’ best, as was seen in the last game when he yorked two KKR batsmen out in the last over. Harbhajan Singh looked rusty in the last game, proving very expensive. Pragyan Ojha might be their go-to man again after his impressive show in the last game.

Mumbai Indians are presently holding the sixth spot on the points table with 4 wins out of the seven games they have played. However, RCB are currently sitting pretty at the top, having won 6 games out of 8. All of RCB’s wins so far have come at their home ground. It will be interesting to see if they can carry their winning momentum away from home as well. The fact that RCB have lost the two games they played away from home might be an encouraging factor for the Mumbaikars.

Conditions:

The Wankhede pitch has been a good one so far in this IPL. It has been helping the batsmen, as evident from the high scoring matches here. And due to the consistent bounce the surface produces, bowlers who are willing to bend their backs might get some purchase out of it. Spinners, however, might find it difficult on the flat track.

Head to Head:

According to head to head records, it has been even-stevens as both sides have won six games each out the 12 games that they played against each other combining all the seasons.

Key Players:

Rohit Sharma- The new Mumbai Indians’ captain has been in cracking form and is striking the ball well. His contribution in the middle order holds the key to Mumbai’s chances in this match. Adding to that, his winning start as the captain of the side might give him a huge confidence boost going into the match.

Kieron Pollard- The big-built Caribbean right-hander has been an asset for the Mumbai side, especially with his hard-hitting capabilities and clever changes of pace when bowling. He plays the anchor role in the side, considering his all-round performances so far.

MI’s strategy:

On a pitch that doesn’t change much during the span of 40 overs, their plan should to be to bat first if they manage to win the toss. With some big-hitting batsmen in their ranks, they should look to put up a formidable total on the scoreboard and try their best to defend it. Scoreboard pressure can be the only way to prevent the impending ‘Gaylestorm’.

Possible XI:

Mumbai Indians probably got their combination right in the last match they won against KKR, and are likely to field the same combination today as well. Ricky Ponting will be sitting out and million dollar man Glenn Maxwell might have have to face disappointment again.

Dwayne Smith, Sachin Tendulkar, Dinesh Karthik(wk), Rohit Sharma(c), Kieron Pollard, Ambati Rayudu, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell Johnson, Y Chahal, Lasith Malinga and Pragyan Ojha.

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