The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to start on 9 April 2021. Two big teams will be facing each other in the first match of the competition. 5-time IPL and defending champions Mumbai Indians will be taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first match of IPL 2021. Rohit Sharm-led MI is gunning for a hat-trick of IPL titles. Virat Kohli led RCB on other hand are searching for their first IPL title. It is going to be a battle of titans!
MI vs RCB: Starting gear of both teams!
Mumbai Indians start slow in the IPL and they will look to change that starting with the first game this season. They have lost all their 8 opening games since 2013. Royal Challengers Bangalore will look to exploit this weakness. They have the problem of their own. The graphs of these two teams are exactly contrasting. MI lose at the start but end the tournament strongly while RCB start decently but lose momentum at the end. RCB will look to dominate MI in the first match and hence start favourites. This makes them slight favourite heading into the first game.
Which players will be match-winners in this game?
Both the teams are filled with match-winners. Big hitters from both teams will be waiting to get going. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be eager to knock a big score. Hardik Pandya, Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers, and Kieron Pollard will be the key players.
X-Factor players for both teams:
AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell’s partnership in the middle-order will be RCB’s X-factor. Kieron Pollard is in huge hitting form. He will be the X-factor for MI.
What does stats say about MI vs RCB?
MI and RCB have played 27 IPL games against each other. MI has won 17 matches. RCB has won 10 games. RCB’s highest score against MI is 235. MI’s highest score against RCB in 213. RCB’s lowest score against MI is 122. MI’s highest score against RCB in 115.
StumpsandBails verdict:
RCB’s hunger and MI’s slow starting nature makes RCB favourites to win this game. Expect fireworks once the match begins. We can’t wait for the IPL to start.
