In this episode of my ‘today IPL match prediction’ series, I analyse the upcoming match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians.
This match is of particular interest to the sports enthusiast in me. I am keen to see MI try to regain their past dominance. Equally, I want to watch RCB making a strong bid for a maiden IPL trophy. Unfortunately for MI, IPL 2022 was less than satisfactory. They finished last among the 10 franchises. By contrast, RCB managed to get to the playoffs only to finish in third place overall.
MI would seek to perform to potential this season. While they are a batting powerhouse, Rohit Sharma’s men do not have the bowling resources they would like. By contrast, RCB have better balance. Though their batting line up is not as explosively strong as MI’s, RCB have competent batters to do the job. Furthermore, they have a few handy all-rounders. Most importantly, they have excellent variety in bowling, with a few useful back-ups for their main bowlers.
I predict that RCB will ride the home advantage and beat MI in the upcoming match.
| Match | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians |
|---|---|
| Where | M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| When | 2 April 2023 |
| Start Time | 19:30 IST |
Who will Win Today's IPL Match?
Votes
Current Odds
RCB vs MI: Prediction & Tips
This RCB vs MI prediction article would be incomplete without naming the best probable elevens that the two sides can field. I also point out the players that I expect will perform exceedingly well. Importantly, I predict which side will win the crucial toss in the upcoming game. I make several other predictions, such as which batter will register the most runs. I also name the bowler likely to register the highest wicket-tally. I even predict which player will hit the most sixes. Punters wishing to place wagers at the best IPL betting sites can benefit from my IPL predictions 2023. They can rely on my tips to make informed betting decisions.
RCB Team Review
As he did in 2022, skipper du Plessis is expected to open the innings with Kohli. Rajat Patidar who shone in last year’s tournament will slot in at number three. He will be followed in turn by Maxwell, Lomror and Karthik, in numbers four, five, and six. Shahbaz Ahmed is likely to bat at number seven, with Hasaranga playing the finisher’s role at number eight. The tail will be brought up by Harshal Patel, Siraj and Hazlewood.
Virat Kohli has returned to his best form in white ball cricket. Skipper Du Plessis would be expected to replicate the form he displayed in his last season with CSK in 2021. Rajat Patidar gave a glimpse of his brilliant potential in IPL 2022. RCB fans would want to see more of the same. Dinesh Karthik’s finishing abilities need no mention. RCB’s batting depth is best exemplified by the abilities of Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, and Hasaranga down the order. Most importantly, all eyes will be on Glenn Maxwell. His form could prove the X factor that RCB need to go all the way in IPL 2023.
Below is their latest Performance:
MI Team Review
Skipper Rohit Sharma will open the batting with Ishan Kishan. Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David and Donald Brevis are likely to occupy the third, fourth and fifth slots. Cameron Green and Tilak Varma will probably slot in at numbers six and seven. Bumrah, Archer, Kumar Kartikeya and Hrithik Shokeen will bring up the tail.
The batting is very strong and any franchise would welcome the top four. However, the bowling is less impressive and depends on Bumrah and Archer both returning from injury. MI broke the bank at the IPL auction for Cameron Green. Considering that they have lost all-rounders of the calibre of Hardik Pandya and Pollard, that move was justified. In fact, Green could compensate for the gaps in bowling and play a finishing role in the batting order.
Below is their latest Performance:
RCB vs MI Head-to-head
RCB and MI have met in the IPL on 30 previous occasions. MI have won 17 and lost 13 to register a dominant h2h record over RCB.
RCB vs MI Last Meeting
The two sides last met on 9 April 2022 in Pune. RCB won the toss and elected to field.
Mumbai began steadily with Rohit Sharma and Ishaan Kishan putting on 50 runs for the first wicket. But after Rohit Sharma departed in the seventh over, MI lost a flurry of wickets to be reduced to 5/62 in the 11th over.
After Ramandeep Singh departed with the scorecard reading 6/79 in the 14th over, Suryakumar Yadav took charge, smashing 68 runs from only 37 balls. However, Yadav got little support from the players that followed. In the event, MI were restricted to 151/6.
For RCB, Hasaranga and Harshal Patel were the most successful bowlers, with two wickets each.
RCB began their chase on a steady note, by putting on 50 for the first wicket before Du Plessis got out in the ninth over. Anuj Rawat was joined by Virat Kohli and the pair added 80 runs for the second wicket. By the time Rawat was run out in the 17th over he had made 66 from 47 balls. Consequently, the asking rate reduced substantially.
RCB managed to reach the target quite easily with 11 balls to spare despite the loss of Kohli’s wicket. Unadkat and Brevis, the only successful MI bowlers, took a wicket each.
Players to look out for
RCB batter Kohli’s return to his best white ball form this season is a war cry that can cause dread in rival bowlers. Young Rajat Patidar is an explosive talent and IPL 2023 could be the stage he is waiting for. Furthermore, Maxwell is due for a return to his best form. Among RCB’s bowlers, Harshal Patel and Hasaranga will be serious competitors for the purple cap this season.
MI batters Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav are impact players. Allrounder Cameron Green will be keen to justify his high price. Bumrah and Archer have played little cricket in recent months. However, as the saying goes, class is permanent.
Toss prediction
I am now going to make my best toss prediction for the upcoming game. RCB won the toss in the last game against MI. I believe that it is MI’s turn to win the toss.
Highest scorer
Virat Kohli will register the highest score in the game versus SRH. Kohli signalled a return to form during the recently concluded T20 World Cup wherein he was prolific with the bat. Kohli has since scored plenty of runs in T20Is for India. I expect him to carry that form into the IPL.
Highest wicket taker
I predict that Topley will take the most wickets in the upcoming IPL match versus MI.
Highest sixes hitter
MI’s Suryakumar Yadav will hit the most sixes in the upcoming game versus RCB. Suryakumar Yadav is the world’s number one ranked T20 batter. In the last couple of years, he has gone from strength to strength, with his ability to hit good balls for sixes.
Most economical bowler
I predict that RCB’s seamer Willey will prove to be the most economic bowler of the game.
Most catches
RCB keeper Dinesh Karthik will take the most catches, given the quality of RCB’s seam trio of Hazlewood, Siraj and Harshal Patel.
RCB vs MI: Dream 11 Predictions
Here is my ‘today IPL match prediction dream 11’:
- Wicket keeper: Dinesh Karthik, Ishan Kishan
- Batsman: Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, Patidar
- All-rounders: Bracewell, Green, S Ahmed
- Bowlers: Siraj, H Patel, Archer
My Dream 11 team will be skippered by Kohli, while the vice-captain will be Hasaranga.
(Disclaimer: This Dream 11 is a rough guideline; you will see changes when the competition starts.)
