IPL 2017: RCB v MI, Game 12– Match Result Predictions

Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians have been two big teams right from the first edition in 2008. This game is in focus because of the comeback of Virat Kohli. The Indian captain is ready to get back onto the field after a month long injury lay-off and will be raring to hit the straps in this big game.

Rohit Sharma, on the other hand, has a couple of problems to address. Firstly, his own form hasn’t been great as he has managed to get just 9 runs in 3 innings so far. Secondly, the Virat Kohli threat. Mumbai, though, are on a roll as they won two consecutive games convincingly and as a result of that, find themselves on the fourth spot with a solitary loss in 3 games.

RCB have lost two and won one. They have a habit of putting pressure on them by getting off to slow starts and then catching up later, something which they did last year.

Although the game will be played at RCB’s home, it is advantage Mumbai Indians. That sounds weirdly confusing but Mumbai Indians have enjoyed an upper hand whenever they have played RCB at home. Out of the 7 games played at this venue between these two teams, Mumbai Indians have won 6 times. It is a strange statistic but doesn’t ignore the supremacy of Mumbai over RCB.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1:  MI wins the toss

Toss Prediction: MI will bowl first

First innings prediction: 160-175

2nd innings Prediction: MI will win by 6 wickets

Scenario 2: RCB wins the toss

Toss Prediction: RCB will also look to chase and bowl first

First innings Prediction: 190-200

2nd innings Prediction: MI will win by 7-15 runs

Head to Head Record

Overall: Matches – 19, Mumbai Indians Won – 11, Royal Challengers Bangalore – 8

In Bangalore: Matches – 7, MI Won – 6, RCB Won – 1

Playing Combinations:

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Virat Kohli will walk into the XI and will also captain the side. Vinod Vishnu, the wicket-keeping batsman, may have to sit out to accommodate the skipper which means Kedar Jadhav has to take on the big gloves again. It is unlikely that RCB will bring back Chris Gayle. Though he has amassed tons of runs over the years in this format, and is 25 runs short of becoming the first cricketer ever to record 10,000 T20 runs, Gayle has struggled to get going of late.

Having said that; the think-tank might spring a surprise by selecting him in this game in place of Billy Stanlake. But chances of that happening looks very slim as Stanlake bowled well in their 15-run win over Delhi Daredevils.

Mandeep Singh has promised a lot but hasn’t gone on to play a big innings which is expected of him. He is expected to retain his place in the XI but might have to bat in the middle-order, which is an unfamiliar position for the right-handed batsman. Because it is a day game, RCB is expected to play 3 spinners again in the form of Yuzvendra Chahal and the twin left-arm spinners: Iqbal Abdullah and Pawan Negi. Tymal Mills and Shane Watson will add experience to their pace battery.

Predicted XI: Virat Kohli (C), Shane Watson, AB De Villiers, Kedar Jadhav, Mandeep Singh, Stuart Binny, Pawan Negi, Iqbal Abdullah, Tymal Mills, Yuzvendra Chahal, Billy Stanlake

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians combination looks more or less settled. They only thing they could think of tinkering with is Rohit Sharma’s batting slot. He hasn’t opened a single time in this year’s IPL so far. Opening the innings is arguably the best batting position for the Mumbaikar as he has tasted a lot of success up there in international as well as IPL cricket.

The other change that they will contemplate on is to bring in Mitchell Johnson instead of Mitchell McClenaghan as the latter has largely struggled to give away runs at an economy of 11.6 in exchange of just two wickets. Johnson, who had an excellent BBL where he finished with 13 sticks from 9 games at an economy of under 6, will look to cement his place in the side if presented with an opportunity.

The rest of the side will be the same, as it has been for the last two games. Malinga will spearhead the attack along with Bumrah and the Pandya brothers will chip-in whenever required. Butler may have to bat in the middle order if Mumbai opens with Rohit.

Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Parthiv Patel (W), Nitish Rana, Jos Butler, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell Johnson, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah.

Mumbai Indians start as a favourite as they have always enjoyed success in the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. They also have a better win-loss record against RCB and are coming into the game on the backs of two consecutive wins.

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.