IPL 2023: Match 54, Mumbai Indians (MI) Predicted Playing XI vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

Mumbai Indians. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Mumbai Indians (MI) will be back at the Wankhede Stadium to host Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on May 9. After facing a six-wicket defeat against their arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk, the Men in Blue will look to get back on the winning track against Challengers.

In the previous meeting, the Faf du Plessis-led side vanquished MI by eight wickets at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, this time, RCB might face a confident Mumbai side that has clinched 200+ scores twice in the last two weeks. In the big contest, MI will look to go on the field with their perfect XI that could help them rake in two points and solidify their position on the points table.

Here’s Mumbai Indians’ predicted XI against Royal Challengers Bangalore

Openers: Rohit Sharma (c) and Ishan Kishan (wk)

Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Rohit Sharma has failed to justify his role in the team with his disappointing batting displays. The veteran has scored only 104 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 126.89, and these numbers clearly indicate that the MI skipper is in the worst phase of his Indian Premier League (IPL) career. Despite his dismal numbers, the MI team management will expect him to rack up a huge batting figure against RCB.

Ishan Kishan exuded confidence against Punjab Kings (PBKS) as his 75 off 41 steered his team to victory at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium. After the good game, the left-handed batter couldn’t live up to the expectation against CSK at Chepauk but relying on his capability and skills, Kishan will back himself to power MI with his batting potential.

Middle-Order: Suryakumar Yadav, Nehal Wadhera, Tristan Stubbs, and Tim David

Suryakumar Yadav (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Suryakumar Yadav will be a key player in the clash against RCB. In his team’s last two triumphs, the right-handed batter showed his monstrous side and snatched the games away from the opponents. Along with Suryakumar, Nehal Wadhera’s role will also be crucial in the batting line-up. In the absence of Tilak Verma, Wadhera will have to provide stability to MI’s middle order with his batting.

Tristan Stubbs has got only two opportunities thus far. In the home contest, MI might include him in their playing XI again and this time, he will have to grab the opportunity with both hands to make himself an essential part of Mumbai’s batting line-up.

Tim David has done his job excellently as he has added firepower to the MI squad with his sensational batting. In MI’s win against Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab, he served his team brilliantly with his match-finishing knocks.

All-rounder: Cameron Green

Cameron green. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Cameron Green’s journey has been through ups and downs so far. Although he produced some solid knocks, the MI team management will want him to maintain consistency with his bat. While with the ball, he will look forward to improving his numbers as the Aussie has taken only five wickets in 10 matches at an expensive economy of 10.19.

Bowlers: Arshad Khan, Jofra Archer, Piyush Chawla, and Akash Madhwal

Piyush Chawla. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Arshad Khan and Jofra Archer will carry the responsibility to reinforce MI’s pace attack. Currently, Archer is Mumbai’s bowling spearhead but his performance hasn’t satisfied MI’s ardent supporters. In his five appearances thus far, the speedster has picked up only two scalps at a disastrous economy of 9.50.

On the other side, Arshad Khan has also put up an extremely disappointing show. In six outings, the medium pacer has grabbed only five wickets at a terrible economy of 13.41. Against RCB, both bowlers will have to showcase their mettle to help their team bag another two points.

Piyush Chawla has emerged as the most successful bowler for MI, claiming 17 wickets in 10 matches at a frugal economy of 7.17. These numbers clearly show that the veteran has troubled batters with his disciplined bowling. Akash Madhwal might feature in MI’s 11-man squad against RCB, and if this happens, the pacer’s job will be to support Jofra Archer and Cameron Green with his medium-pace bowling.

Mumbai Indians (MI) Probable Playing 11:

Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Nehal Wadhera, Tristan Stubbs, Tim David, Cameron Green, Arshad Khan, Jofra Archer, Piyush Chawla, Akash Madhwal

Mumbai Indians (MI) Probable Impact Players:

Arjun Tendulkar, Hrithik Shokeen, Riley Meredith, Kumar Katikeya, Jason Behrendorff