RCB to lock heads with MI in a Mid-table encounter

Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians have done enough to spice up the contest for the play-offs. While RCB are on a roll with 3 wins from the last three matches, MI have revived new hopes after their formidable win over the Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday. Herschelle Gibbs, playing his first match this season had an immediate impact on MI’s batting scoring 66 not out from 58 balls in a 167 run partnership with centurion Rohit Sharma. Such a big win will surely boost their confidence against the Challengers who are coming off three wins. They are on a must-win position and another defeat will surely do great damage to their chances of qualifying for the play-offs. Moreover, they will surely look to pack up a win before they face table-toppers Delhi Daredevils in their next match.

Head-to-head

RCB and MI are on even terms with 5 wins each from the 10 meetings so far.

Played – 10; RCB – 5; MI – 5

Players to look out for

Royal Challengers Bangalore

The big man from West Indies is on a high and one of the highest run-scorers in this season.

Chris Gayle : The big man from West Indies is on a high and one of the highest run-scorers in this season. RCB will have no worries as long as he keeps going. His ability to lead the charge right from the word “Go” and his habit of clearing the field at any time during the match makes him dangerous to the opposition.

Tillekaratne Dilshan : He has been in decent form with the RCB shirt this season. Playing alongside Gayle gives him an opportunity to make use of the situation well. But he has often been dismissed in a peculiar fashion owing largely to experimental strokes. Still, that is how he plays and once he gets going, there will be no looking back for his team.

AB de Villiers : He has blossomed well this season. Playing in the shadow of Chris Gayle has proved to be a blessing in disguise for this South African who is no less talented and can destroy any bowling attack on a given day. RCB will look up to him if Gayle gets out early.

Mumbai Indians

Sachin Tendulkar : He is the man to anchor Mumbai’s innings. Though he hasnt been scoring enough runs, he hasn’t lacked support from the passionate Indian crowd. MI will expect lots from the Master for their dreams to come true.

Rohit Sharma : Saturday evening belonged to him and he showed why he is regarded as more technically correct than Virat Kohli. After making merry at the Knights’ backyard, Rohit will look to play out another crucial knock at Bangalore in order to pull his team through to the play-offs.

Lasith Malinga : He is in devastating form and holds the key to MI’s victory. Arguably the best T20 bowler in the world, Malinga has some lethal slingers and some deadly variations which aim straight at the stumps. MI will bank on him to get rid of danger-man Gayle before he can unleash his fury.

Prediction

It’s an even battle. However, the Gayle-factor keeps RCB slightly in front of Harbhajan’s men.