MI vs RCB: Pitch report and statistical preview
What's the story
Defending champions Mumbai Indians take on Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Wankhede Stadium. Rohit Sharma's men have lost their first three games, and are desperate to log their first points, but it's not going to be an easy task containing the likes of Kohli and ABD. Here is our statistical preview and pitch report.
World class
ABD is at his best against Mumbai Indians
ABD has scored 510 runs against the MI. These runs have come in 17 matches at an average of 39.23. He has slammed 1 century and 1 half-century against Mumbai. The highest total against Mumbai Indians was set by RCB back in 2015 when they scored 235/1. This is also the highest score at the Wankhede in T20s. ABD scored 133* in this match.
Run machine
Kohli loves the Wankhede Stadium
Kohli averages a massive 71.16 in T20s at the Wankhede Stadium. The right-handed batsman has scored 427 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 154.71. He has scored 3 half-centuries at this venue so far. Against Mumbai at the Wankhede, Kohli has scored 230 runs at an average of 46.00.
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Wankhede is Chahal's biggest nightmare
Chahal has conceded 117 runs in 12 overs at an economy of 9.75 at this small ground. Yuzvendra Chahal has managed to bag just 4 wickets in his three games here.
RCB legend
Kohli could reach 5,000 run mark for RCB
Kohli needs 49 runs to reach 5,000 runs for RCB. He will become the first player to complete 5,000 runs for a single IPL franchise. Kohli has 4,951 runs in 158 innings averaging 37.50. Umesh Yadav is shy of 4 wickets to reach the 100 wicket mark in the IPL. However, he has taken only 8 wickets against Mumbai in 11 games.
Information
Bumrah one short of 50 IPL wickets
Jasprit Bumrah is one wicket short of reaching the 50 wicket mark in the IPL. However, he was wicket-less in his last game which was also his 50th IPL match.
Cold streak
Rohit's poor form is Mumbai's biggest concern
Captain Rohit Sharma's form seems to be a concern for the Mumbai Indians. The dashing right-handed batsman has just managed to score 15, 11 and 18 in the 3 games so far. Pollard has scored 203 runs against RCB in just 6 innings at the Wankhede at an average of 50.75 and a strike rate of 175.00.
Key battles
Pollard vs Chahal will be an interesting face-off
Kieron Pollard has been a crucial cog in the wheel for the Mumbai Indians for years now. The West Indian's favourite opposition is RCB having scored 452 runs against them, his personal best against any opposition. Pollard has scored 45 runs off Chahal in just 30 balls, however, Chahal has got the better of him thrice.
Interesting face-offs
Is McClenaghan the answer to Virat Kohli?
AB de Villiers is the Superman of cricket and literally has no weakness. However, Krunal Pandya has managed to keep the South African quiet conceding just 33 runs off 32 balls while bagging his wicket 4 times in 4 innings. New Zealander Mitchell McClenaghan has dismissed Virat Kohli four times conceding just 19 runs off 28 balls.
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Virat Kohli could script history tonight
RCB skipper Virat Kohli needs just 32 runs to surpass Suresh Raina as the highest run scorer in the history of the IPL.
Pitch report
High scoring contest on the cards
The temperatures in Mumbai are high and so is the humidity level, which means the dew factor should come into play. The seaside stadium means breeze could assist swing bowlers. The red soil used to prepare the pitch encourages bounce and the shorter boundaries mean this should be a high scoring contest.