As ever, RCB will field probably the most intimidating batting line up in world T20 cricket, with the likes of AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, Shane Watson and Travis Head all in their squad. Yet despite fielding amazingly talented XI’s every season, RCB are still waiting for their first IPL title. 2016, like twice previously in 2009 and 2011, ended in Grand Final defeat.
The 2017 season, has seen RCB make an indifferent start, with just one win and two defeats to date. A home victory against Delhi Daredevils, has been sandwiched in between losses on the road at Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab.
Mumbai made it two wins for the season on Wednesday, when they comfortably overcame the Sunrisers Hyderabad by 4-wickets with eight balls still remaining. That win follows on from a loss to Rising Pune Supergiants, and a victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Both of those games taking place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Although there have been runs aplenty in Mumbai’s opening three fixtures, none of their batsmen has yet to make a major individual contribution. Although the exciting youngster Nitish Rana did strike a 29 ball half-century against KKR.
Mumbai’s bowlers will certainly have to improve on their first three outings, if they are to have a chance of restricting RCB’s talented array of hitters, as they have conceded 178 runs to KKR and 187 to the Supergiants in their opening matches, while even against Hyderabad, they had to chase down 159 to secure the points.
They have a good balance of spin and pace, and if they can perform to anything close to their best, they could inflict yet more pain on the RCB.