Toss will be vital for both the captains on a batting-friendly deck and expect a run-feast
Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore will face Rohit Sharma-skippered Mumbai Indians who have succumbed to four losses on the trot and are yet to open their account
Bengaluru: Following a five-day break, a relaxed and revitalised Royal Challengers Bangalore are geared up to take on a struggling Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Sunday. With one win from two games, the Virat Kohli-led outfit face Rohit Sharma-skippered outfit, who have succumbed to four losses on the trot and are yet to open their account.
With evening showers lashing the city heavily for the last few days, the toss will be vital for both the captains on a batting-friendly deck and expect a run-feast.In the opener, the hosts RCB were off to a flying start defeating defending champions KKR but recorded a demoralising loss following a sloppy bowling display against Sunrisers Hyderabad at home.
RCB have banked heavily on hard-hitting opener Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and captain Kohli to fire. But the only concern is the inconsistent bowling attack which was ripped apart by SRH’s David Warner and Shikar Dhawan.
But there is good news from the RCB camp as Aussie spearhead Mitchell Starc will arrive in the city on Sunday and may make the playing XI. Recuperating from a knee niggle picked up during Australia’s triumphant World Cup campaign, his return will certainly bolster the bowling department. If the management still decides to rest the left-arm speedster, Kiwi quickie Adam Milne will most probably feature in the starting line-up.
Meanwhile, RCB’s star-studded-batting order will look to Gayle, Kohli and de Villiers to carry them against Mumbai. A lot was expected from Dinesh Karthik in the top-order but the wicket-keeper batsman is yet to make his mark. Mumbai, on the other hand, have failed to find get going as in the previous season where they lost their first five matches.
In his quest for victory, Rohit has shuffled his batting resources since the start. With the top-order failing badly, big-hitting Caribbean Kieron Pollard, Rohit and the mercurial Harbhajan Singh have been their only performers.
Their biggest blow has been T20 specialist bowler Lasith Malinga going off the boil. The Sri Lankan slinger has been a pale shadow of himself. Adding to their woes, even the talented pacer R. Vinay Kumar and young left-arm spinner Jagadeesha Suchith have not clicked. But playing in their home ground on Sunday, a lot will be expected from the local lads. A batting feast is on cards.
( Source : abhishek baadkar )
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