In a few hours from now, Mumbai Indians will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the tournament opener of Indian Premier League, 2021. The match is going to feature an ensemble cast, especially on the leadership front. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, captain and vice-captain of the Indian limited-overs sides, will respectively lead Bangalore and Mumbai.
While Mumbai have won a record five titles (including the last two), Bangalore are still in search of that maiden IPL trophy. Despite being played on Indian soil, all 60 matches of this edition will be played in neutral venues. Keeping in tune with that, Mumbai and Bangalore will play in the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Chennai.
Chepauk has traditionally assisted spinners in the IPL, but that has been because Chennai Super Kings has wanted things that way. With home advantage not a factor in this edition, there is no apparent reason for the curators to focus on the usual slow, low turner. Of course, that may happen as the tournament progresses, but the tournament opener is likely to be played on a belter of a wicket.
There is good news for both camps. Upon his recovery from Covid-19, Devdutt Padikkal has resumed training with his teammates. He is likely to play. An ESPNCricinfo report also suggested that Quinton de Kock, who flew in on a chartered flight and used separate gates at the airport, may feature in the match. The same may not be applicable to Adam Milne of Mumbai and Finn Allen and Adam Zampa of Bangalore, who are yet to complete their quarantine periods.
Mumbai are clearly the superior side of the two, with an explosive batting line-up that stretches to No. 7, or even No. 8; a troika of all-rounders, in Kieron Pollard and the Pandya brothers, Krunal and Hardik; and a third world-class fast bowler, Nathan Coulter-Nile, to join hands with Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult.
Things do not look as rosy for Bangalore. While they do have a strong Indian bowling attack, the batting does not look as explosive as some of the other franchises. The reserve bench does not seem very promising, either.
Head to head
The teams have met 27 times, of which Mumbai have won 17 matches and Bangalore 10. One of Bangalore’s wins came in a Super Over.
Key players
Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians): It has been some time since Bumrah has unleashed his thunderbolts. Now, rested and fresh, he is ready to have a go at the Bangalore batsmen, in the Powerplay as well as at the death.
AB de Villiers (Royal Challengers Bangalore): One-half of Bangalore’s success story – or lack thereof – over the years, de Villiers is on the last leg of his illustrious career. Will this be the season when he will Bangalore attain glory that has eluded them for years?
Likely XIs
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (c), Chris Lynn, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jayant Yadav, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Azharuddeen (wk), Dan Christian, Kyle Jamieson, Washington Sundar, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj.
Prediction
Mumbai Indians to kickstart their campaign with a win.