Mumbai Indians (MI) will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Match 20 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday, April 7.
Table of Contents
Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Preview
Across 18 seasons of the IPL, one long-standing joke has followed Mumbai Indians (MI): they only seem to find their rhythm once May rolls around. In the early years, when the tournament began in April, MI often stumbled through the opening matches before hitting their stride a month later. Though the IPL calendar has evolved, MI’s slow starts have remained a constant — and the 2025 season is no exception. With just one win from four games, the five-time champions are already treading on thin ice. With 16 points usually considered the magic number to secure a playoff berth, time is beginning to slip away.
However, there’s a silver lining for the franchise: Jasprit Bumrah is available for selection. If there’s one cricketer capable of single-handedly shifting a team’s momentum, it’s him. But while Bumrah’s return bolsters MI’s bowling attack, it does little to resolve their ongoing struggles with the bat. In three out of four matches, their opening partnerships have crumbled before the second over. Rohit Sharma’s lean run with the bat hasn’t helped, and the team continues to shuffle its batting order in search of stability.
Naman Dhir, a retained talent through MI’s right-to-match card, found himself batting at No. 7 in two matches before an impressive 24-ball 46 at No. 3 in the loss to Lucknow Super Giants. With Rohit expected to return from a knee injury, Will Jacks may be pushed back to No. 3, possibly displacing Dhir once again.
Suryakumar Yadav’s form has been one of the few positives in an otherwise faltering top order. Tilak Varma has looked unconvincing, even getting retired out in one match, while captain Hardik Pandya hasn’t delivered the late-innings fireworks expected from him. MI’s lower-order hitting power has also come under scrutiny.
Despite the concerns, head coach Mahela Jayawardene remains composed. Speaking ahead of their clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he emphasized adaptability: “I want to be more flexible with the batting order given where we are and the talent and skill we have,” he said on Sunday. “As long as we have productivity from those guys in different positions, it will give us advantage going forward.”
By now, Mumbai Indians’ tendency to start seasons — and individual matches — on the back foot is a well-known pattern. Their struggles aren’t limited to overall results; they often stumble right out of the gate, particularly during the PowerPlay overs. Increasingly, these first six overs are proving decisive — and more often than not, they’re tilting the contest against MI.
The stats paint a clear picture. Across four matches, MI have lost eight wickets during the PowerPlay — the second-worst record in the tournament. In contrast, they’ve only managed to claim five wickets in the same phase, again the second-lowest tally. Only Punjab Kings have performed worse when it comes to taking early wickets.
Their most successful PowerPlay performance came against Kolkata Knight Riders — where they picked up four wickets in the first six overs (five in the first seven) and lost just one while batting. Unsurprisingly, that match resulted in their only win of the season so far. In the high-stakes T20 format, this early-game weakness is becoming a clear PowerPlay problem.
Head coach Mahela Jayawardene acknowledged the issue. “We’ve looked at those numbers as well. Starting the season with a relatively new squad, these problems are bound to come up. It’s definitely something we need to address. Controlling the PowerPlay is key, and when we’ve managed that, we’ve performed well. So yes, it’s an area we’re planning to improve.”
Monday’s clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Wankhede could offer a turning point, as two key players — Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit Sharma — are expected to return. Bumrah has missed all four matches so far, while Rohit sat out the last game. Both veterans are not only influential figures but also game-changers in the PowerPlay, and their presence could be just what MI need to regain early momentum.
Rohit Sharma’s recent PowerPlay numbers continue to raise concern. Since the start of IPL 2023, the MI opener has been dismissed 21 times in 33 innings inside the first six overs, averaging just 24.95 during this phase. Among batters who’ve faced the PowerPlay at least 25 times in this span, only Wriddhiman Saha (20.85) has a lower average — a telling statistic that underscores Rohit’s early vulnerability.
On the flip side, MI have a reliable finisher in Suryakumar Yadav, especially when it comes to chasing. No player has scored more runs in IPL chases since 2023 than SKY (809 runs), and among those with at least 10 innings in pursuit, only Nicholas Pooran and Abhishek Sharma strike at a faster rate than Suryakumar’s remarkable 184.28.
One bright spot with the ball has been skipper Hardik Pandya. All five of his wickets against Lucknow Super Giants came from hard-length deliveries — a zone where he’s found notable success this season. In fact, with seven dismissals off hard lengths, Hardik leads all seamers in this category in IPL 2025.
MI’s opponents on Monday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), have emerged as one of the standout teams in the early stages of IPL 2025. Although they’re coming off a home defeat to Gujarat Titans, RCB have excelled on the road, winning both their away fixtures — including a historic victory at Chepauk, their first at the venue since 2008.
However, the Wankhede Stadium hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for them. RCB have defeated Mumbai Indians at this venue only three times, with their last win dating back to 2015. Still, given their current form and a well-balanced squad, this could be their best shot at breaking that long-standing drought.
RCB boast a top order brimming with confidence — four of their batters have already notched up half-centuries this season. Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, and Rajat Patidar have all been among the runs, while their bowling attack, led by Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Suyash Sharma, has shown plenty of bite. Despite the recent setback at home, they remain a side brimming with potential and have given their loyal fanbase genuine reasons to dream big.
“It’s been a fantastic start — two huge wins away from home, including at KKR and CSK, which are traditionally tough grounds,” said Tim David. “The last game didn’t go our way; we lost a few early wickets, but that’s part of the game. We’re excited and looking forward to the challenge against MI.”
There’s an added layer of intrigue to Monday’s clash as several familiar faces will be lining up on opposite sides. Tim David, Reece Topley, and Romario Shepherd — all part of the Mumbai Indians setup last season — are now donning the Royal Challengers Bengaluru jersey. While David has featured prominently for RCB this season, Topley and Shepherd are yet to make an appearance in IPL 2025.
On the flip side, Will Jacks, who lit up the tournament with a century for RCB in the previous edition, now finds himself a regular fixture in the MI lineup. As players swap allegiances and scripts flip, these crossovers add an extra edge to what promises to be a high-stakes encounter at the Wankhede.
For RCB, Tim David continues to shine as a late-innings powerhouse. The hard-hitting Aussie has smashed 31 sixes in the death overs (17th to 20th) over the past three seasons — more than any other batter, edging out MS Dhoni (27) and Rinku Singh (26). In IPL 2025, he also holds the highest strike rate (220.83) in the death overs among batters who’ve faced at least 20 balls during this phase.
RCB pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is also on the brink of a major milestone. He currently sits level with R Ashwin and Dwayne Bravo on 183 IPL wickets, needing just one more scalp to become the third-highest wicket-taker in tournament history — behind only Piyush Chawla (192) and Yuzvendra Chahal (206).
Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Head-to-head
MI hold a 19-14 head-to-head advantage over RCB, but the rivalry has been evenly poised in recent years, with both teams winning two games each since 2022. At the Wankhede, however, MI have been dominant, winning 8 out of 11 encounters. RCB haven’t tasted victory at the venue since IPL 2015, suffering six straight defeats there since.
- Matches Played: 33
- Won by Mumbai Indians: 19
- Won by Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 14
- Tied: 0
- No Result: 0
- First-ever Fixture: April 20, 2008
- Most-recent Fixture: April 11, 2024
Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
Mumbai continues to experience hot and humid conditions, with temperatures likely to remain in the low 30s on Monday evening. Despite Wankhede Stadium’s small boundaries, high-scoring games have been relatively rare, with just four 200-plus totals recorded since 2024 — two of which came in the same match.
While teams batting first have won half of the last eight encounters at this venue, captains have consistently opted to bowl first, wary of the potential impact of dew. In fact, every toss-winning captain has chosen to chase in IPL matches at the Wankhede since 2024.
The red-soil pitches here typically favour batters, and the short boundaries only enhance that. Another run-fest could be on the cards, though the effectiveness of chasing will hinge on how much dew settles on the outfield by nightfall.
Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Team News and Predicted XI
Mumbai Indians – Team News
Jasprit Bumrah is set to make his return for MI, as confirmed by the team management, while Rohit Sharma, who spent close to 30 minutes in the nets on Sunday, remains a game-time decision due to a knee injury that kept him out of the previous fixture. Tilak Varma, who has been nursing an injury, is expected to be fit, as he was for the last game.
Ashwani Kumar and Raj Bawa, both of whom didn’t feature with bat or ball against LSG, are likely to be left out. In the bowling department, Deepak Chahar and Trent Boult are expected to continue opening the attack, maintaining their reputation for early breakthroughs. This could see Bumrah used strategically in the middle overs and at the death, where his yorkers could be crucial against finishers like Tim David. Additionally, Vignesh Puthur might be introduced as a tactical option to contain power-hitters such as Liam Livingstone.
Mumbai Indians – Predicted XI
- Rohit Sharma
- Ryan Rickelton (wk)
- Will Jacks
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya (capt)
- Naman Dhir
- Mitchell Santner
- Deepak Chahar
- Trent Boult
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Vignesh Puthur
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Team News
Virat Kohli was absent from training on the eve of the match, but RCB are likely to stick with their current XI. The only potential change could be the inclusion of an additional spinner, with either Suyash Sharma or Swapnil Singh being considered in place of Rasikh Salam. Tim David stated there are no reported injuries in the squad.
RCB are expected to rely on their established game plan against MI. With Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar sharing the new ball, they should be well-equipped to challenge MI’s opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton. If selected, Suyash Sharma will likely be tasked with containing middle-order threats such as Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Predicted XI
- Phil Salt
- Virat Kohli
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Rajat Patidar (capt)
- Liam Livingstone
- Jitesh Sharma (wk)
- Krunal Pandya
- Tim David
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Josh Hazlewood
- Yash Dayal
- Rasikh Salam/Suyash Sharma
Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Players To Watch Out For
Tilak Varma (Mumbai Indians)
Tilak Varma’s IPL 2025 campaign has gotten off to a slow start, despite a stellar international season highlighted by two T20I centuries for India. In the tournament opener, he managed 39 off 36 balls against Gujarat Titans, followed by a 25 off 23 against LSG before being retired out as MI’s chase went off track.
He now returns to the Wankhede, a venue that hasn’t been particularly kind to him in T20s. Across 15 innings at the ground, his best score stands at 38, while his strike rate of 124.07 is his lowest at any venue where he’s batted at least five times.
Tim David (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
One visiting player who could feel right at home in Mumbai on Monday is Tim David. A key finisher for MI between 2022 and 2024, David has fond memories of the Wankhede. His strike rate of 188.95 at the venue ranks just behind Dinesh Karthik (208.33) and Suryakumar Yadav (197.09) among players with at least five IPL innings there.
Speaking ahead of the clash, David said, “Coming back to play in Mumbai, it’s a wonderful place to play at the Wankhede. I love batting here. It’s a nice place to have as your home ground. It’s not my home ground anymore. Hopefully I get a chance to do some damage out there in the middle tomorrow night.”
Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Prediction
Scenario 1
- Toss: Mumbai Indians win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 60-70
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru Total: 210-220
- Match Result: Mumbai Indians win the match
Scenario 2
- Toss: Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 55-65
- Mumbai Indians Total: 190-200
- Match Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the match
When and Where To Watch Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Indian Premier League 2025 clash between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Monday, April 7, at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.
Read More: IPL 2025: Siraj, Gill and Washington Power GT to Hand SRH Fourth Straight Defeat
FAQs
What is the head-to-head record between MI and RCB in the IPL?
Mumbai Indians lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru 19-14 in 33 matches played so far.
How have MI and RCB performed at Wankhede Stadium?
MI have dominated RCB at the Wankhede, winning 8 out of 11 encounters; RCB’s last win here came in 2015.
Is Rohit Sharma playing against RCB in the upcoming match?
Rohit Sharma is likely to return after a knee injury, but his final availability remains uncertain.
What is Tilak Varma’s IPL 2025 form and Wankhede record?
Tilak Varma has had a slow start this season and averages a strike rate of just 124.07 at the Wankhede, with a top score of 38 in 15 innings.
Why is Tim David considered a threat at Wankhede against MI?
Former MI star Tim David boasts a strike rate of 188.95 at the Wankhede and is expected to be a key finisher for RCB.
