"Always a game that is competitive and something that you certainly look forward to" - Virat Kohli on facing MI at the Wankhede in IPL 2023 

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batter Virat Kohli is raring to take the field at the Wankhede Stadium to face the Mumbai Indians (MI) in a vital 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) contest on Tuesday, May 9.

The upcoming game is crucial in a season where the qualification spots are still very much up for grabs with no team ruled out of contention yet. MI and RCB have both played 10 matches each and are tied on 10 points, with only the net run rate separating them.

Admitting that the conditions at the Wankhede Stadium suit both MI and RCB, Kohli said during an event in Mumbai:

"We love playing in Mumbai. I think it suits our style of play as well, and it does for Mumbai Indians as well. So, it is always an exciting game, always a game that is competitive and something that you certainly look forward to because we have played some really good cricket this season."

The upcoming clash in Mumbai marks RCB's third successive away game. They emerged victorious in Lucknow but lost to the bottom-placed Delhi Capitals (DC) in Delhi.

Stating that the clash against MI presents a chance for them to regain some momentum on the road, Kohli said:

"A couple of results did not go our way, which made us realize as a team the things that we need to do. Just a good opportunity to push on from here on the road."

RCB still have two more away clashes after Mumbai in the form of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). They will be back at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for their final league contest against the Gujarat Titans (GT).

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"I think the Wankhede is similar to the Chinnaswamy" - Mike Hesson

RCB have struggled for momentum this season and could not quite stamp their authority on home soil after winning three matches and losing three at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Similar to the venue in Bangalore, the Wankhede Stadium has also seen copious runs, with the most recent outing leading to a record 215-run chase by the Mumbai Indians against the visiting Rajasthan Royals side.

Claiming that RCB are well accustomed to the conditions from their stint here in the previous edition of the IPL, RCB director of cricket Mike Hesson said:

"I think the Wankhede is similar to the Chinnaswamy in that it's a hard ground to defend. We spent the whole of our last year here and in some of the previous years as well, so we know this ground very well. We know that it is traditionally high-scoring."

RCB beat MI by eight wickets in the reverse fixture in Bengaluru earlier in the season.

Who will win the crucial encounter between MI and RCB in IPL 2023? Let us know what you think.