Virat Kohli out for 50
Virat Kohli scores 50
Phil Salt GONE for 78 off 36
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Tim David, Jitesh Sharma(w), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Suyash Sharma
Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Trent Boult, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah
Mumbai Indians have won the toss and have opted to field
Bhuvneshwar Kumar – Not really. I’m learning from him (on Krunal’s bouncers). So we were laughing in the dressing room that he has bowled more bouncers than me, but I think he has bowled more bouncers than anyone in the tournament. Looks like it has become harder (on the IPL), the way the kids are coming at you, but definitely the experience helps. But it’s been fun playing in all the 16 years. It’s everyone. Generally, we don’t call that a meeting. We call it a discussion where everyone comes and shares their experience, whether it be from the club team or the country team and how we can perform, especially at home ground because we play seven games there. I think it’s everyone’s contribution and the experience. Good thing is that the ball usually swings in the first two overs, offering a chance to take a wicket. But again, it’s a high scoring ground (on the Wankhede wicket). At some point, you’ll become defensive and that’s where the yorker comes into play. So I think it’s, as you said, pretty similar to Chinnaswamy, but again, also consider the motion effect. (When asked if RCB can defend their title) Why not? But again, we are not keeping that in mind, nor are we being defensive, like Mo (Bobat) and the coach already said in the first meeting. But again, I’m saying why can’t we win it twice? I want to get the better of him (on his battle with Rohit). But of course, we know he’s an experienced cricketer, a very good batsman. It’s going to be a great contest, but again, I think we both know each other very well, what he does, what I do. So it’s going to be, I hope it’s going to be a good contest.
The square boundaries are 67m and 61m; the straight boundary is 74m. Lots and lots of sixes here at the Wankhede, this is a pitch which will produce a lot of runs. There’ll be some help for the seamers with a fair covering of grass on a good length area. A bit of movement and bounce, but not much turn for the spinners. If you get 200 or more, your chances of a win increase, but here you can say there’s a 80% chance of victory with a 220-run score batting first, reckon Pommie Mbangwa and Sunil Gavaskar, in their pitch report.
At the Wankhede, expect plenty of runs, though early movement could make the powerplay decisive. The toss may play a key role, with chasing sides often enjoying an advantage here. Mumbai Indians will be under pressure to halt their losing run, while RCB aim to bounce back.
Mumbai Indians began their campaign with a win over Kolkata Knight Riders, but have since hit a rough patch with two straight defeats. RCB, on the other hand, started with back-to-back wins before faltering against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. It’s still early days in the season, but with every point proving crucial, both teams will be eager to bounce back and deliver tonight.
