In the 2024 IPL Match 25 scheduled at Wankhede Stadium, the Mumbai Indians are set to take on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Read More: Manchester City Agree Personal Terms With Lucas Paqueta, West Ham United Midfielder
MI vs RCB: Match Preview
Mumbai Indians secured their first victory of the season after three defeats in their recent clash against Delhi Capitals, triumphing by 29 runs. They showcased a comprehensive performance with aggressive batting from their openers and solid late blows from their finishers. Gerald Coetzee stood out among the bowlers, claiming four crucial wickets to seal the win for his team.
Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru has faced a series of setbacks, suffering three consecutive losses, two of which occurred on their home turf. Despite boasting a formidable batting lineup, their bowling department has been a concern. As they gear up for their upcoming match, led by Faf du Plessis, RCB aims to rectify past mistakes and secure their second win of the season.
During preparations at the Wankhede Stadium, security guards in the lower tier of the stands were tasked with retrieving balls, adding to their usual duties.
Players like Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Mahipal Lomror, Rajat Patidar, Tom Curran, and Suyash Prabhudessai focused on facing and hitting spin during net practice sessions. RCB enlisted several net bowlers specializing in spin to provide adequate practice for their batsmen.
Historical data shows that spinners have maintained an economy rate of 7.82 at Wankhede Stadium in IPL matches since 2021, with 109 wickets taken during the middle overs at an economy rate of 7.76.
In IPL 2024, RCB has struggled against spinners during the middle overs, with a relatively low scoring rate compared to other teams. Despite some individual performances, RCB’s overall strike rate against spin has been subpar.
While RCB appears prepared for spin challenges, Mumbai has predominantly relied on pace bowling in their matches this season, with minimal spin utilization. However, with options like Shams Mulani and Kumar Karthikeya available, Mumbai could potentially alter their strategy to exploit RCB’s vulnerabilities.
The question remains whether Mumbai will adapt their tactics to capitalize on RCB’s susceptibility to spin bowling.
MI vs RCB: Pitch Report & Conditions
The Wankhede Stadium is renowned for its batsman-friendly pitch, offering consistent conditions conducive to high-scoring matches. Short boundaries enhance run-scoring opportunities, maintaining excitement for fans. Moreover, the dew factor typically favors the team batting second, adding an extra dimension to the game. Consequently, the toss-winning team is likely to opt for fielding first.
For the upcoming match, a fresh pitch adjacent to the previous two games’ surfaces is expected to be utilized. Positioned centrally, it should result in square boundaries being relatively evenly spaced. Despite warm afternoons, evenings in Mumbai have been pleasant, contributing to a comfortable playing environment.
MI vs RCB: Head-to-head
In the head-to-head record between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, a total of 32 matches have been played. Mumbai Indians have emerged victorious in 18 of these encounters, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru has won 14 matches. There have been no instances of matches ending in no result. The first match between these teams took place on 20 April 2008, with the most recent match occurring on 09 May 2023.
MI vs RCB: Team News and Impact Player Strategy
Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians, following their recent victory against Delhi Capitals, are likely to maintain the winning combination. However, there’s speculation about the inclusion of an additional spinner, Shams Mulani, in the lineup. Should Mulani be included, it could prompt the utilization of Jasprit Bumrah as an Impact Substitute alongside Suryakumar Yadav.
Probable XII:
- Rohit Sharma
- Ishan Kishan (wk)
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Hardik Pandya (capt)
- Tilak Varma
- Tim David
- Romario Shepherd
- Mohammad Nabi
- Gerald Coetzee
- Piyush Chawla
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Akash Madhwal/Shams Mulani
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Royal Challengers Bengaluru may contemplate changes in their lineup, especially considering Glenn Maxwell’s underwhelming performances. The inclusion of Will Jacks could be an option to address this concern. Despite Maxwell showing promise in practice sessions, his recent scores of 1, 0, 28, 3, and 0 may prompt RCB to explore alternatives. Additionally, Suyash Prabhudessai could be considered to strengthen the lower batting order.
Probable XII:
- Virat Kohli
- Faf du Plessis (capt)
- Rajat Patidar
- Glenn Maxwell/Will Jacks
- Cameron Green
- Saurav Chauhan/Suyash Prabhudessai
- Dinesh Karthik (wk)
- Reece Topley
- Mayank Dagar
- Mohammed Siraj
- Yash Dayal
- Himanshu Sharma/Mahipal Lomror
MI vs RCB: Match Prediction
Scenario 1
If Mumbai Indians win the toss and opt to bowl, with a Power Play score ranging from 50-60 and a projected first innings score of 180-190, they are likely to have a favorable outcome. Mumbai Indians’ strong bowling attack, coupled with their ability to chase moderate targets effectively, could lead them to victory in this scenario.
Scenario 2
Should Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the toss and choose to bowl, achieving a Power Play score between 60-70 and setting a first innings score of 200-210, Mumbai Indians still have a chance to win. However, it would require a solid batting performance from Mumbai, with contributions from key players like Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya. If they manage to chase down the target successfully, Mumbai Indians could emerge victorious in this scenario as well.
MI vs RCB: Dream 11 Fantasy Prediction
Team 1:
- Keeper – Ishan Kishan
- Batsmen – Rohit Sharma (vc), Virat Kohli (c), Faf du Plessis, Suryakumar Yadav
- All-rounders – Glenn Maxwell, Hardik Pandya, Romario Shepherd
- Bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah, Reece Topley, Gerald Coatzee
Team 2:
- Keeper – Ishan Kishan
- Batsmen – Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Suryakumar Yadav (c)
- All-rounders – Glenn Maxwell (vc), Hardik Pandya, Cameron Green
- Bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah, Reece Topley, Gerald Coatzee
When and Where to Watch the Match: Streaming & Broadcast Details
What: Mumbai Indians (MI) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL 2024
When: 7:30 PM IST, Thursday – April 11
Where: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Where to watch MI vs RCB Live Streaming: JioCinema app for FREE
Where to watch MI vs RCB Live Telecast: Star Sports