3 lessons RCB can take from MI's comeback in IPL 2024

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have had a disappointing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 so far. They have clinched only a solitary victory in seven games and are in the last position in the points table.

They have now lost five games on the trot, with the recent one witnessing them conceding 287 (highest-ever IPL score) against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

On the other hand, their arch-rivals, Mumbai Indians started with three consecutive losses but have registered three wins in the last four games. With a 3-4 record, they are seventh in the points table.

Certainly, there are a few lessons that RCB can take from MI's resurgence in IPL 2024.

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1) Efficient use of Impact player

In the 20th game of this season against Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians started on a good note, with Rohit Sharma (49) and Ishan Kishan (42) laying a platform for a big score. Then, Hardik Pandya (39) and Tim David (45*) were impressive to continue the team's momentum.

After Hardik's dismissal, Mumbai opted to bring in big-hitter Romario Shepherd for the last over. Certainly, their move paid dividends, as Shepherd went on to slam 32 runs, with four sixes and two fours, against Anrich Nortje. Then, the Caribbean all-rounder dismissed David Warner as well, with MI securing their first victory of IPL 2024 by 29 runs in the end.

Similarly, Cameron Green can be used as an impact player by RCB in the coming games, due to his all-round abilities and experience. Green slammed 100* off 47 balls against SRH while playing for MI in 2023.

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2) Trust in their frontline pacer

RCB's first-choice pacer, Mohammed Siraj has been off-color this season. He has managed to secure only four wickets in six appearances at an economy of 10.41 and a disappointing strike rate of 33.

As a result, he was dropped for their game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Vijaykumar Vyashak, who came in place of Siraj, conceded 64 in four overs, as Hyderabad registered highest ever IPL total of 287.

With Siraj being the fourth highest-wicket taker for RCB with over 70 scalps, he certainly is a reliable pacer, who can take wickets at any point in the game.

There have been many instances of Jasprit Bumrah having a bad day in the office, but the MI team management have always trusted him to win games for them.

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3) Stitch quality partnerships

Be it at the top or middle order, a team needs solid partnerships throughout their innings to put up a strong total on the board. For RCB, only Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis have been scoring runs, that too failing to do it in tandem.

In the slog overs, Dinesh Karthik isn't left with any credible partner on most occasions, which hurts the team's chances.

In two out of three victories, MI got an impressive start with Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan. Furthermore, the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma have often kept Mumbai's innings together with their positive intent.