IPL 2021: RCB vs MI -Match 39 – Preview, Playing XI, Pitch Report & Updates

The tale of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI) have been pretty similar in the Indian Premier League (IPL) post resumption, having lost both their games. RCB and MI’s form have dipped at the crucial stage of the tournament and both teams are desperate to end the losing streak.

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RCB, who started their IPL campaign on a bright note in India, have struggled to find the right rhythm in UAE. The lack of runs from their star players AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell has barred RCB from posting huge scores. Their bowling which finally looked good in India has again slipped in the UAE with Mohammed Siraj, Harshal Patel, and Yuzvendra Chahal failing to get wickets at regular intervals. 

Plus, the team’s negative run-rate is not helping the cause. The only good thing for RCB is they are still in the top four of the points table but they need to get back to winning ways to consolidate the position.

Meanwhile, MI, the five-time IPL champions, have so far looked off colour. The team has not performed collectively. Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan, the pillars of MI middle order have been pretty ordinary so far which has hurt Mumbai.  MI resumed the campaign in the fourth position but have slipped to the sixth position in the points table. With their backs against the wall, MI need to show the character they are so well known for. A win is a must to keep their playoff hopes alive.

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Pitch Report 

The match is going to be played in Dubai. The wicket so far has been pretty good to bat and has stayed even. Both matches played on this ground in the tournament has been won by teams chasing.

Predicted Playing XI

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Royal Challengers Bangalore 

Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Srikar Bharat (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Tim David AB de Villiers, Wanindu Hasaranga, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal

Mumbai Indians 

Quinton de Kock (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Saurabh Tiwary, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Adam Milne, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult

Key Players

Virat Kohli

RCB skipper Virat Kohli found some form during the match against CSK as he scored 53 runs. The right-hand batter attacked in the power play and took some pressure off Devdutt Padikkal. He looked at complete ease thus a big knock from the skipper looks on the cards.

Suryakumar Yadav 

Suryakumar Yadav is a pivotal part of the franchise and his poor run of form in UAE has dented Mumbai's hopes. But he's a class player and would be keen to make a mark in the next game.