Royal Challengers Bangalore will host Mumbai Indians at their home the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore. Both the teams have struggled in the competition so far and are need of a win desperately. A loss here will severely harm the chance of the losing team making it to the playoffs. Here are how the probable XI shape up –
Mumbai Indians
After a disastrous start where they had lost five out of their first six matches, Mumbai Indians had to win their match against Chennai Super Kings at the adopted home of CSK. With the race to playoffs heating up, Mi had to perform and that they did versus table toppers.
In the last match, Mumbai Indians won the toss and chose to bowl first. Clever bowling changes and control in the middle overs helped Mumbai stop CSK below a par total. The chase was first guided by Surya Kumar Yadav and then Rohit Sharma ended it with authority.
Now MI travels to Bangalore and take on Royal Challengers Bangalore. They had brought in JP Duminy and Ben Cutting in place of Kieron Pollard and Mustafizur Rehman. With a win under the belt, they will be expected to retain the XI.
Playing XI –
Jean-Paul Duminy, Rohit Sharma (c), Mitchell McClenaghan, Suryakumar Yadav, Ben Cutting, Evin Lewis, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan (wk), Krunal Pandya, Mayank Markande
Royal Challengers Bangalore
After the Auctions 2018, RCB were the most balanced and the jampacked talented team. The matches showed how even a good team can suffer due to illogical team selections and poor cricketing decisions. The team is yet to find a settled combo.
In the last match against Kolkata, in absence of ABD, McCullum and De Kock gave a good start. All other batsmen failed to make the most of it and Kolhi alone waged the war. Fielding from Bangalore was dismal and they failed to keep hold of the catches.
With ABD ill, RCB brought in McCullum. They replaced Negi with Vohra, Washington Sundar with Murugan Ashwin and Corey Anderson with Tim Southee. Ashwin should retain his place just but Vohra will again be dropped it seems. McCullum will also go out if ABD is fit.
Playing XI –
Brendon McCullum/AB De Villiers, Tim Southee, Virat Kohli (c), Umesh Yadav, Mandeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Colin de Grandhomme, Manan Vohra/Pawan Negi, Quinton de Kock (wk), Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj
