MI vs RCB Dream11 Team, Probable Playing XI, Toss, Pitch and Match Preview: Amid the pandemic lock-down, India prepares for an IPL curtain raiser on Friday.
Mumbai Indians will commence their title defending campaign against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. A rejuvenated RCB team has always started the campaign on a positive note as compared to their counter parts. Mumbai dugout looks pretty settled as compared to their opponents who have drafted in four new overseas players.
Mumbai Indians
History indicates that MI has always been rusty in the initial phase. Sharma & Co. have
merely managed a 30%-win rate in their opening matches since the inception of the IPL. Mumbai Indian’s have faced the Bengaluru based franchise twice in the season opener and have lost both the matches. However, MI have won 8 out of the last 10 matches against RCB. MI are on a 5-match winning streak in Chennai.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Contrarily RCB are much better starters. Kohli & Co. have a 61.5%-win rate in the opening match of every season. Inclusion of Daniel Christian and Glen Maxwell has boosted the RCB batting line up. Chahal has played a talismanic role for RCB with the ball. The Indian International picked up 21 wickets in the last season. RCB are on a 5-match losing streak in Chennai.
Pitch Conditions and Toss
The Chennai wicket by nature aids spin bowlers. The wicket will offer a healthy competition between bat and ball, 160 looks to be a par score considering both sides would be cautious in their first game of the season. Team winning the toss must opt to bowl first as the dew factor might prove decisive.
Probable Playing XI
Unfortunately for RCB Padikkal’s inclusion is doubtful, and Daniel Sams misses out. Considering the wicket Mumbai might start with Jayant Yadav instead of Nathan Coulter-Nile. Quinton de Kock is serving a mandatory quarantine period.
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma ©, Ishan Kishan, Surya Kumar Yadav, Hardik Pandiya, Kieron Pollard, James Neesham, Krunal Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile/Jayant Yadav, Rahul Chahar, Trent Bolt and Jasprit Bumrah.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli ©, Sachin Baby/Devdutt Padikkal, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Azharuddin, Daniel Christian, Washington Sundar, Kyle Jamiseon, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Match Details
Match No. 1 Indian Premier League 2021
Match: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
Date and Time: 9th April 2021, Friday - 07:30 PM IST
Live Telecast: Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar
Pivotal Players
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Surya Kumar Yadav
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell
Clean Hitters
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell
Death over Bowlers
Mumbai Indians: Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Bolt
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Daniel Christian, Kyle Jamieson, and Mohammed Siraj
MI vs RCB Dream11 Wicket Keepers
Since Quinton de Kock is expected to be out of action, AB de Villiers is my first-choice wicket-keeper batsman for his ability of explosive batting at any point of situation. My second choice is Ishan Kishan who plays a similar role for Mumbai. To fit in more All-Rounders, I have left out Mohammed Azharuddin who will be keeping wickets for RCB.
MI vs RCB Dream11 Batsmen
Despite of being doubtful I have selected Devdutt Padikkal over Rohit Sharma. Rohit Sharma is a slow starter in the IPL. In case Padikkal does not start I will replace him with Rohit Sharma. To execute this adjustment smoothly at the last moment I have maintained a balance of 1 credit point. Virat Kohli and Surya Kumar Yadav are my obvious choices for their ability to bat for a longer period with a healthy strike rate.
MI vs RCB Dream11 All-Rounders
Historically the Chennai wicket is spin friendly and purely for that reason Washington Sundar and Krunal Pandya are my obvious choices. I have picked up Hardik Pandya over Kieron Pollard, for his variations with the ball. Pandya is more likely to bowl than Pollard.
MI vs RCB Dream11 Bowlers
Jusprit Bumrah is an obvious choice for his wicket picking abilities and death bowling skills. Unfortunately, I must leave out Trent Boult to fit in Yuzi Chahal and Rahul Chahar. Wrist spinners are expected to enjoy more success.
Fantasy League Disclaimer
All our selections are based on in-depth and astute analysis of the players partaking in the match, pitch report and a perusal of other reasoning. Please incorporate a slew of factors while crafting your own side with this article serving as a guide to the match and players.