IPL 2023: 3 Key Match-ups To Watch-Out in RCB VS MI Match No.5

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will begin their IPL 2023 campaign against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on April 2 in the evening match. Two of the most followed teams in the IPL, the clash between RCB and MI have been one of the most exciting fixtures in every season of the Indian Premier league by far. Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians have faced each other 32 times in IPL history. Mumbai have a clear edge against their rivals, winning 19 games. While Bangalore has only won 13 of the 32 games. No matches between the two teams ended without a result.

Both teams have concerns in different areas of their team. While MI has a decent enough batting lineup, they will be missing the services of their pace ace Jasprit Bumrah. Their bowling looks weak on paper. On the other hand, RCB’s famed batting has been their strength, but their less-than-flattering bowling lineup has been a cause of concern for them.  Josh Hazlewood is most likely to miss the opening encounter. Ahead of Sunday’s key clash, we take a look at the three-player battles to watch out for in the RCB VS MI clash:

3) Suryakumar Yadav vs Harshal Patel

He may not be in the best of form with the bat, but when it comes to T20 cricket, there is no better batter than Suryakumar Yadav in the world at the moment. His 360° style of play and ability to play both fast bowlers and spinners equally well makes him an MVP of the MI batting line-up. If SKY gets going, it’s very hard to stop him. The task to stop him will be on Harshal Patel, RCB’s best bowler since the 2021 season when he won the purple cap.

With clever variations and a knack for picking up key wickets, Harshal could well be the man who arrests Suryakumar’s charge before it gets going. He has been dismissed just once by Harshal in the IPL, but the RCB seamer will be looking to get the better of Suryakumar with one of his subtle variations.

2) Rohit Sharma vs Mohammed Siraj

Rohit hasn’t been at his best in the few seasons of the IPL. But having said that the kind of form he has shown for India recently, he will be looking to make the most of the current form in the opening game. Most likely, Rohit Sharma will be opening the batting for Mumbai, and challenging him with the new ball in the powerplay overs will be RCB’s Mohammed Siraj, who has shown good shape and character in the last 9-12 months.

Effective with the new ball, Siraj will be aiming to hand India a positive start, and getting Rohit Sharma’s wicket will be key. Rohit has an excellent record against Siraj. The right-handed Mumbai batter bats at a strike rate of 150 plus against the Bangalore bowler. Notably, he hasn’t been dismissed yet by Siraj.  

1) Virat Kohli vs Jofra Archer

In what could be a mouthwatering battle, RCB’s most prolific run-scorer, Virat Kohli, will come up against Mumbai’s most threatening pacer in Jofra Archer. Making a comeback to IPL after a long injury layoff, Archer will be looking to make a mark in his first game in MI colors. He will be keen to dislodge the mainstay in the RCB line-up. Kohli and Archer have faced each other on numerous occasions across formats in international cricket and in the IPL as well.

Despite being one of the most fearsome bowlers in the world right now, Archer has never dismissed Kohli in his career to date. In the opening encounter in front of the ever-loud RCB fans, Archer will look to go 1-up against Kohli in the RCB VS MI game.