IPL 2018, Match 14: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – Match Predictions

A thrilling game on the cards. Who will take the crucial win?

Published - 16 Apr 2018, 21:59 IST | Updated - 16 Apr 2018, 21:59 IST

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The IPL 11 has been incredibly tough on the reigning champions Mumbai Indians so far. Three losses in three games could easily have been three wins if the luck had worked in their favour, but sadly it wasn’t to be as they ended up being the second best on all the three occasions and as a result, they currently hold the bottommost spot in the points table.

However as much as Mumbai has been unlucky, they will be the first ones to admit that they have not been at their best in the tourney and as they take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore at home, they will be keen to be clinical in all facets of the game.

The RCB will be a little shaken after the brutal assault of the Rajasthan Royals the other afternoon at Chinnaswamy, but it’s a new game and will start from the scratch and there is no reason why, if they play a solid game, they can’t get the better of the Mumbai Indians in their backyard.

Pitch and Conditions

Wankhede has been a slow pitch in the two games. The ball has stuck into the surface a little bit and it hasn’t been easy for the batsmen to time the shots when the ball has got a little softer. However because it’s a tiny ground and a lot of mistimed shots also go over the fence, the par score at this venue remains fairly high despite the slowness of the pitch.

Batting conditions, as in any other night game in India, will be easier and better in the second innings and there are no prizes for guessing the captain’s decision at the toss as everyone knows it will be to bowl first and rightly so.

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Playing Combination

Mumbai Indians

Probable Changes – Adam Milne in, Akila Dananjaya out,

Akila Dananjaya made his maiden appearance for Mumbai against the Delhi Daredevils on Saturday, but he proved to be very expensive. The mystery spinner couldn’t disguise his skills effectively and bowled too many hit-me deliveries. Jason Roy & Co. took him apart as he registered the figures of 47-0 in his quota of 4 overs.

Dananjaya’s expensive spell both at the top of the innings and in the middle overs was one of the reasons why Mumbai failed to apply brakes on Delhi during that mammoth chase and Rohit Sharma is unlikely to show the patience with the Sri Lankan anymore.

Mumbai might replace Dananjaya with a fast bowler and with the new signing Adam Milne having joined the camp aready, he is in line to be given his debut. The Kiwi will have a crack at the 4th overseas slot which is up for grabs in the Mumbai XI and he will like to secure it for himself with a couple of good outings.

Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Evin Lewis, Ishan Kishan (WK), Surya Kumar Yadav, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Adam Milne, Mayank Markande, Mustafizur Rahman, Jasprit Bumrah

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Probable Changes – Manan Vohra and Tim Southee in, Brendon McCullum and Kulwant Khejroliya out

Brendon McCullum has had three failures and however destructive a batsman he is, he might have to sit out for a while now as RCB might want to have a look at a different combination at the opening slot. Manan Vohra is another opener available in the squad and the right-hander might pair up with Quinton de Kock up top.

McCullum’s removal will allow Virat to slot in another overseas bowler in the XI and that, in all probability, will be the Kiwi Tim Southee. RCB’s bowling looked really ordinary against Rajasthan, especially in the death overs where their bowlers continued bowling length and providing easy six hitting opportunities for the batsmen. Southee is someone who can bowl a decent Yorker and can be a handy option in the death. If he gets a go, the young Kulwant Khejroliya will be warming the bench.

Predicted XI: Quinton de Kock (WK), Manan Vohra, Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers, Mandeep Singh, Pawan Negi, Washington Sundar, Chris Woakes, Umesh Yadav, Tim Southee, Yuzvendra Chahal

Team Comparison

Mumbai’s and RCB’s batting units feature some of the cleanest hitters of the cricket ball going around. However where Mumbai is slightly ahead of RCB in terms of batting is their lower middle order which has got some brilliant finishers. RCB’s finishing job is taken care of by a couple of youngsters Washington Sundar and Pawan Negi who although are good strikers, but are probably not as experienced as the likes of Kieron Pollard and Pandya brothers.

Talking about the bowling of the two sides, RCB doesn’t stand anywhere in comparison to Mumbai who might have lost three games in a row, but have got some really skilful T20 bowlers in their ranks. The duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mustafizur Rahman is nothing less than an asset for Rohit Sharma and so is Mayank Markande who has already shown his full leg-spinning repertoire in the tournament and owns the purple cap right now.

RCB’s trump card is Umesh Yadav who is bowling really fast this IPL. Although he got smashed last game and will be slightly low on confidence ahead of this encounter, if he steams in and hits the hard lengths tomorrow, he is definitely someone who can make an impact for Virat Kohli’s side.