Srinagar, April 08: The defending champions, Mumbai Indians, are all set to lock horns with Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday in the first match of IPL 2021 ar Chennai.
This match is expected to be a cracking contest as both teams have some of the best players from across the world in their squads. While the defending champions didn’t tinker much with their team core in the auctions, RCB invested freely on overseas all-rounders by roping in Glenn Maxwell and Kyle Jamieson for the upcoming season.
Mumbai Indians
Ever since Rohit led the Mumbai-based franchise, they have been arguably the best team of the tournament. Rohit took over the reigns from Ricky Ponting halfway through the 2013 edition and in the same year, he led Mumbai to their first IPL title.
The Mumbaikers went on to win four more titles in the next seven years, gaining the reputation as the most successful team in the history of this tournament.
MI’s juggernaut floored every other team in the 13th edition of the IPL as they clinched their 5th title.
As the side now gears up to continue its leading legacy, they will have a chance of becoming the only team in the IPL to win three titles on the trot.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
On the other side, RCB, who rely heavily on their batting, will be hoping to start their season with a win against a formidable team like Mumbai Indians.
Despite having a great player-performance record, the RCB is yet to win the IPL trophy.
Last year, Kohli took his team to the playoffs but lost in the eliminator against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Another drawback for the RCB is having released underperforming opener, Finch; the side now needs to replace him well.
That role was expected to be taken by Josh Philippe, the Australian wicketkeeper-batsman, who urgently withdrew himself from the tournament due to personal reasons. Philippe was replaced by Kiwi cricketer Finn Allen, an inexperienced but talented hitter.
RCB is most likely to go with Kohli as an opener – a move the India captain himself suggested after the T20 international series against England.
If Kohli does move ahead with the unfamiliar position, the core management is more likely to be weaker. The tactic could turn into a massive hit or miss ticket.
Meanwhile, due to the pandemic, none of the teams will be able to play on their home ground this year. All matches will be played on six venues viz Chennai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Mumbai.
Predicted Playing XI
MI: Rohit Sharma, Chris Lynn, Ishan Kishan, Surya Kumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Adam Milne
RCB: Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Chiristian, Mohammed Azharuddeen (WK), Kylie Jamieson, Washington Sundar, Navdeep Saina, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammad Siraj