Balance makes MI favourites vs RCB
BANGALORE:VIRAT Kohli may be the India skipper and probably the most powerful player in Indian cricket, but it is his opposite number for Tuesday’s game who knows how to win IPL titles.
Rohit Sharma, skipper of Mumbai Indians, who clash with Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore here at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Tuesday, has won three IPL trophies. Virat, on the other hand, has failed to lay hands on even one.
RCB’S best under Kohli has been a runner-up finish two seasons ago. Back then they looked a dangerous side with power-hitters at the top and a decent bowling unit that had a quality allrounder or two. Not much depended on local Indian players as the imports along with Kohli were just too brutal.
This time though RCB are finding how local Indian players, that have driven other teams in the past and even this season, are important to an IPL side.
With the foreign stars, aside of AB de Villiers, not being extraordinary, RCB’S local Indian players have been found wanting.
Mandeep Singh, Manan Vohra, Sarfaraz Khan, M Ashwin and Mohammed Siraj have struggled not just with their primary skill but also when fielding while even Umesh Yadav leaked plenty on Sunday. What makes their opponents on Tuesday, Mumbai Indians, favourites going into the crucial game is the balance of the side, especially with the presence
of two all-rounders in Pandya brothers Hardik and Krunal.
RCB, on the other hand, have been playing musical chairs with Colin de Grandhomme and Corey Anderson and both haven’t been useful especially with the ball, something that Shane Watson was when he was here.
MI’S bowling also looks much tidier than RCB’S with Mustafizur Rahman and Jasprit Bumrah around. Their Indian component has been holding them up with bowler Mayank Markande being the pick bagging the most wickets and Krunal continuing to be effective.
Suryakumar Yadav has been among runs while Ishan Kishan too has chipped in. If anything, they need to worry about Kieron Pollard whose form is probably why MI are sixth, one spot above RCB.
But as their previous game showed, their bowling can be the difference. By restricting CSK, the bowlers made it possible for batsmen to ensure victory. This is the last round of the first half of the league and a win is important for both teams.