In the 48th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 the fans will get to see the first qualifier for the playoffs as Mumbai Indians (MI) locking horns with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Wednesday. MI has been continuing their stellar form from last year, despite losing Rohit Sharma to an injury last week. Apart from a star-studded batting unit, the Mumbai Indians boast of a well-rounded bowling attack.
Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah have picked up 33 wickets between them so far. Like MI, the RCB has done well this season and currently occupy the third position became of a lower run rate. Youngsters Devdutt Padikkal and Washington Sundar have been punching above their weight class, while Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers have lived up to their lofty expectations.
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The last time these two sides met in the IPL, RCB managed to win the game in a Super Over. The likes of AB de Villiers and Ishan Kishan stood out as they played blistering knocks in the nail-biting match. If that game is any indication of things to come, the fans will be expecting another riveting contest in Abu Dhabi with a playoff place hanging in the balance.
As the two sides prepare for a thrilling encounter, here’s a look at three key player battles to keep an eye on.
#1. Virat Kohli vs Jasprit Bumrah
Virat Kohli has taken it upon himself to deliver the goods for RCB. In 10 matches, Kohli has smashed 415 runs at a strike rate of 125. Twice, Virat has crossed the fifty mark three times, batting in his trademark style. RCB skipper’s ability to build his innings and go berserk in the death overs is a massive plus for RCB.
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The MI pacer, Jasprit Bumrah has been able to prove his worth for MI as he scalped 17 wickets in the season so far. Against Kohli, though, Bumrah will have his task cut out. The RCB skipper will look to unsettle one of the best bowlers of modern-day cricket.
#2. Kieron Pollard vs Yuzvendra Chahal
The stand-in MI skipper, Kieron pollard has had a below-par tournament thus far by his own high standards but on his day remains a formidable opponent regardless of the format, such is his ability to fashion run-scoring opportunities. Yuzvendra Chahal has been RCB’s go-to man whenever they needed wickets and they will hope he can dismiss the MI skipper early and thus increase their chances of a victory.
#3. AB de Villiers vs Trent Boult
On Sunday, Trent Boult will come across the might of RCB veteran, AB de Villiers, whose recent inning against RR has been something else altogether. Boult has played just every match for MI he has scalped 16 wickets in the 11 matches so far and maintained an economy of 8.23.
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Boult’s economy will surely be challenged by De Villiers, who has so far played nine games for 324 runs at an insane strike rate of 174.19! He has so far hit 19 sixes and 25 fours in IPL 2020. The last time the two teams met this year, De Villiers went berserk in teh slog overs.
