Context

First things first: Mumbai Indians haven’t lost at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium since 2013. We have won four games in a row at the venue. Also, it’s time for another round of Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma. The last time the teams met, we came up trumps thanks to a special 94-run knock from our captain. Kohli, too, wowed the Wankhede with an unbeaten 92 but the evening was all about our first win of the season. MI have got their campaign back on track with a straightforward win over Chennai Super Kings in Pune. On the other hand, RCB go into this game on the back of consecutive defeats, including one against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday. But, as it stands, both teams are in the same boat. They have four points each. MI are a slot above in sixth place thanks to a superior net run-rate. The match is essentially a contest between RCB’s top-heavy batting line-up and MI’s bowling attack which has been consistent and picked up 49 of the 70 wickets on offer.

In The Spotlight

Royal Challengers Bangalore

As is his wont, AB de Villiers has scored 280 runs at an astonishing strike-rate of 184 this season. Simply put, MI need to dismiss him as early as possible. Getting him early is half the job done.

With nine wickets at an average of under 26, Umesh Yadav has been both fast and frugal this season. Yadav says he used to be obsessed with variations. But Ashish Nehra and Virat Kohli told him to attack the stumps, bowl fast and not worry about variations. Yadav followed their advice, and the results are showing. MI will have to be wary of him.

Mumbai Indians

Against CSK in Pune, Rohit Sharma promoted himself to No. 3 and took charge of the chase. As a result, MI were in total control and never really looked in trouble. It is imperative that Sharma dishes out another commanding performance. He smashed the RCB bowlers to all corners of the Wankhede earlier this season. And the Chinnaswamy is a batting paradise with smaller dimensions.

Mitchell McClenaghan has this amazing knack of picking up wickets at crucial junctures. Against CSK, he dismissed MS Dhoni and Dwayne Bravo in the space of just three deliveries. Those twin strikes brought us right back in the contest. Can he deliver against RCB, too?

Key Clashes

Jasprit Bumrah vs Virat Kohli
This promises to be a riveting contest, be it at the start of the innings or at the death. Bumrah is generating some decent pace. And Kohli is prime form with 317 runs at an average of 63. How they tackle each other will go a long way in determining the outcome of the game.

Yuzvendra Chahal vs Suryakumar Yadav
With 274 runs at an average of nearly 40, Yadav has been MI’s most consistent batsman this season. A terrific player of spin, he will relish the prospect of facing Chahal. His footwork and wide range of shots well enable him to overcome the threat posed by the leg-spinner. That said, Chahal is no pushover. A smart customer, he is capable of bowling all sorts of deliveries that can unsettle the best of batsmen.

Number Game

Head to Head
MI lead 14-8

Form Guide
RCB: LLWLL
MI: WWLL

Last 5 Matches
MI have each of the last five contests.