IPL 2018: Match 14, Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore - Expectation vs Reality

The scene for both teams in the points table makes for an exciting contest in the fourteenth match in IPL. While Mumbai Indians stand at the bottom of the table with three losses in three games, Royal Challengers Bangalore stand on the sixth spot with only one win in three games. Mumbai may well register their first win tomorrow because of multiple reasons.

First, home advantage of batting at Wankhede, then, their head to head off is 13-8 is in their favour, Krunal Pandya has got the better of AB de Villiers four times in four innings, Virat Kohli has been dismissed by relatively new spinners in all the innings so far and the threat of Mayank Markande is pretty large at the moment, Pollard has scored the most runs against this particular opposition.

Even if this is left ignored, MI looks far better equipped to deal with a collapse and in fact, look far more equipped to cause a collapse. RCB does not have that cushion, especially at Wankhede, where the pitch has looked best suited for batsmen. MI, on the other hand, have not been able to lock-in crucial moments of the match. However, despite the fact that an MI victory is what is more probable now, we have a few other expectations from both teams. Have a look:

Pollard is going to light it up

As mentioned, he loves this particular opposition. It’s as if their very name gets his juices flowing. If he is able to see of the threat of Chahal, who has dismissed him thrice in 30 balls, he will continue doing well for the side. However, for that, it is important for him to come at 5.

It is unlikely that there will be a collapse from MI which is the only way we would see Pollard on the crease for longer. The perfect time for him would be to come in the last five overs and do what he does best. Expect him to go after a specific bowler, which one that will be is for you to guess.

Sundar among the wickets

In an ideal situation, he should be opening the batting and the bowling both, but with so many options for RCB to play in the opening slot, opening the batting is a sight which we will be confined to the Tamil Nadu Premier League. However, Kohli did opt for him bowling in the power play, which is his strength.

Sundar bowling to Lewis and Ishan Kishan, in particular, will be vital. Having captained him in the Nidahas Trophy, Rohit Sharma will know what he is capable of. In fact, don’t be surprised if Rohit bats well against him. If the rather unreliable instinct is to be believed, Sundar will be among the wickets again.

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