IPL 2021: 5 players to watch out for in Match 1, MI vs RCB

IPL 2021 gets underway with the Mumbai Indians taking on the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday, 9 April at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The two teams will be looking to start the season on a high and secure a win in what promises to be a cracker of a contest.

Mumbai Indians will miss the services of the South African wicket-keeper-batsman Quinton de Kock who recently flew in and is under the 7-day mandatory quarantine. Chris Lynn is most likely to take his spot in the playing XI.

On the other hand, RCB must be delighted with the return of their star batsman Devdutt Padikkal, who recently recovered from COVID-19. He is expected to open the innings alongside captain Virat Kohli.

In anticipation, we take a look at 5 possible game-chamgers in the mouth-watering season opener.

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1. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli - Royal Challengers Bangalore

Coming into the IPL on the back of a decent outing against England, Virat Kohli will be high on confidence. It is difficult to stop him once he gets going as he can decimate any bowling lineup. He also has a great track record against the Mumbai Indians and is expected to lead from the front.

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2. Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah - Mumbai Indians

From picking up early wickets to bowling phenomenally at the death, Jasprit Bumrah is an invaluable asset to the Mumbai Indians. With his consistent bowling and the variations he brings with his bouncers and yorkers, Bumrah is very likely to be in the contest for the IPL Purple Cap this season. Being one of the best in the business, the speedster will be looking to wreak havoc right from the first game in IPL 2021.

3. Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal - Royal Challengers Bangalore

Yuzvendra Chahal led RCB's bowling unit last season and was instrumental in the team's run to the playoffs. He is a proven match-winner and always delivers when needed the most. His leg-breaks can trouble the MI batsmen and earn him a few wickets.

4. Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav - Mumbai Indians

Suryakumar Yadav plays a key role in the Mumbai Indians batting line-up. His ability to strike the ball all over the park is captivating to watch. Last year, he had his best IPL season, scoring 480 runs from 16 games, which earned him a call-up to the Indian T20 and ODI squad against England. No longer an uncapped player, Yadav will be looking to set the stage on fire in IPL 2021 as well.

5. Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj - Royal Challengers Bangalore

Mohammed Siraj is another to watch out for, considering his recent success with Team India. He can swing the ball both ways and be especially lethal during powerplay overs. He played a crucial role in helping his team qualify for the play-offs last season and will be hoping to replicate that performance in IPL 2021.