IPL 2023: RCB vs MI Preview – Bangalore look to extend MI’s first match jinx
Royal Challengers Bangalore host rivals Mumbai Indians in the fifth match of the Indian Premier League 2023 (IPL) at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, April 2. Both teams kick off their campaign with squads depleted with various injury issues ahead of the 16th edition of the tournament.
The hosts finished the last season in the fourth position in the group-stage round with eight wins from 14 games. They beat Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator but lost against Rajasthan Royals in the second Qualifier. Mumbai Indians endured their worst season during IPL 2022 as they finished at no.10 with just four wins. Since 2013, MI have not been able to win the first match of the their IPL campaign.
The Royal Challengers will be missing last season’s star Rajat Patidar and key pacer Josh Hazlewood for the first half of the season. Will Jacks is ruled out of the entire season with Michael Bracewell coming in as his replacement.
Mumbai Indians suffered a big blow with Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of the entire season along with new pace signing Jhye Richardson. But fans’ focus will be on Cameron Green, who cost big bucks in the auction.
Pitch and Conditions
M Chinnaswamy Stadium has a batting-friendly surface and fans might be in for a high-scoring game on Sunday. Both pacers and spinners need to sweat it out for the wickets as there is very little at the venue for the ball. The average first innings score here is 168 with the team bowling first winning 44 of 79 IPL games so far.
Venue Details: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Last T20I match at the venue: IND- 134/9 (20 overs) | NZ- 140/1 (16.5 overs)
Here’s the probable playing XI for Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians clash:
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Patidar and Hazlewood will be missing considerable games while last season’s leading wicket-taker Wanindu Hasaranga will be unavailable for this fixture due to national team duty. Bracewell and Shahbaz Ahmed will be forming a spin attack with Glenn Maxwell while Harshal Patel and Mohammed Siraj will be partnered by English pacer Reece Topley.
Mumbai Indians
Sandeep Warrier, an experienced pacer from Kerala, will be stepping in Bumrah’s place this season. Jason Behrendorff and Jofra Archer will be two first-choice pacers with Cameron Green joining as the fourth option. Tim David and Green are expected to start ahead of South African youngsters Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs.
