Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 1st Match – Blitzpools Prediction, Fantasy XI Tips & Probable XI
In the first match of IPL 2021, defending champions Mumbai Indians(MI) led by Rohit Sharma will take on Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB) on Friday in Chennai.
MI v RCB, 1st Match: Match Details
- Date – Friday, April 09, 2021
- Time – 7:30 PM IST
- Venue – MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
MI v RCB, 1st Match Match Preview:
Mumbai Indians has a very strong batting lineup filled with power-hitters and they bat deep as well. Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav are in fine form in the T20s currently. Rohit Sharma didn't fire much in his previous few games for India, so he would be willing to start the tournament on a high. The finishers MI has, are some of the best - Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, and Krunal Pandya.
Mumbai might opt to go with either Chris Lynn or extra bowler with James Neesham. Lynn is a top-order hitter while Neesham is a finisher who can bowl four overs as well. Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah are sure shot starters in the bowling. They would hope to give the same performance just like they did in the IPL 2020.
Royal Challengers Bangalore is always ready with a star-studded batting lineup. Virat Kohli will be opening the innings but it will be interesting to see who will be his partner. Though Devdutt Padikkal has joined the squad and has started to train and RCB would want him to open the innings considering his form. Glenn Maxwell will be the key player in the middle order for RCB along with Dan Christian, who had a good BBL season earlier this year.
The bowling looks a bit weak considering the recent form of a few bowlers. Yuzvendra Chahal and Kyle Jamieson haven't had a memorable last series with their respective countries. Navdeep Saini hasn't had much of a match practice lately.
Mumbai Indians has dominated Royal Challengers Bangalore in the past and they will be high on confidence since they are the defending champions this season. MI has a good chance to start their tournament with a win this season against an inconsistent RCB.
MI v RCB Head-to-Head:
- Total – 29
- Mumbai Indians – 19
- Royal Challengers Bangalore – 10
MI v RCB, 1st Match Team News:
Mumbai Indians - Quinton de Kock is unlikely to play the season opener since he will be in quarantine.
Royal Challengers Bangalore - Daniel Sams was tested positive for Covid-19 and is in isolation. He won't be available for the first game at least.
MI v RCB, 1st Match Pitch Report:
The Chennai pitch traditionally favors spinners due to its slowness. The batting is likely to get tougher as the game goes on. The team winning the toss might opt to bat first here.
MI v RCB, 1st Match Probable Playing XI:
Mumbai Indians - Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, James Neesham/Chris Lynn, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah
Royal Challengers Bangalore - Virat Kohli, Washington Sundar, AB de Villiers (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar/ Devdutt Padikkal, Kyle Jamieson, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal
MI v RCB, 1st Match Blitzpools Fantasy XI:
- Wicket-keepers - A de Villiers, I Kishan(vc)
- Batsmen - V Kohli, R Sharma, S Yadav(c)
- All-rounders - H Pandya, D Christian, K Pandya
- Bowlers - J Bumrah, M Siraj, K Jamieson