IPL 2021, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians: Preview, Fantasy tips, Likely XIs

Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians were, respectively, third and fourth in the Indian leg of IPL 2021. Since resumption, however, both sides have lost both matches, against the same opponents, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings. Although Bangalore have maintained their position, their net run rate is now -0.72. On the other hand, Mumbai have slipped to sixth. A win for RCB will create a four-point gap with multiple teams having 8 points whereas a win will take MI above RCB for a superior NRR.

Bangalore often struggle to strike the balance with respect to batting and bowling. A superior bowling line-up helped them in recent years, while they have some of the most dashing batters in Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, A.B. de Villiers, and Glenn Maxwell. However, they will need support from the likes of K.S. Bharat, Sachin Baby and Tim David.

With ball, neither Mohammad Siraj nor Yuzvendra Chahal has looked at their best. The overseas all-rounders, Kyle Jamieson and Wanindu Hasaranga, have taken time to adjust to the UAE conditions. They may replace David with Dan Christian.

Mumbai have the better bowling attack, but their key middle-order batters have not delivered. Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan have not replicated last season's form, and the batters have generally not capitalised on the starts provided by Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma. Hardik Pandya's absence has not helped either.

Among bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah has taken key wickets, but Trent Boult and Adam Milne need to be at their best at the earliest. Milne is coming off a great season in the Hundred, where he was the highest wicket-taker with 12 wickets as well as the only bowler to concede less than run a ball. 

Likely XIs

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, A.B. de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, K.S. Bharat (wk), Dan Christian, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohammad Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Adam Milne, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult

Betway Fantasy Tips

1. Top orders for both teams are very strong and have some key players for the fantasy teams
2. Boult, Milne, and Harshal along with Jasprit Bumrah are good wicket-taking options for the team
3. Maxwell and Pollard are good options for all-rounders  and can earn lots of points

Blitzpools Fantasy XI

Quinton de Kock, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (c), Glenn Maxwell, Rohit Sharma (vc), Suryakumar Yadav; Wanindu Hasaranga; Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Milne