MI vs RCB IPL 2024 Probable 11: Can RCB seniors take some more responsibility down the batting order?

MI vs RCB IPL 2024 playing 11 with Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

Smiles are back on Mumbai Indians’ fans as the perennial slow starters chugged off to an emphatic win in their fourth attempt this season. Mumbai Indians have beaten Delhi Capitals in their last match and now they will host Royal Challengers Bengaluru and hope to extend their victory run on their home turf. The match will be played at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium from 7:30 PM onwards on Thursday.

Mumbai Indians finally seem to have found the right balance in their playing eleven. Suryakumar Yadav is back and lends important solidity to the middle order. Though he scored a nought in his first outing of IPL 2024, MI won’t be much worried. The top-seven of Mumbai Indians boasts a bevy of hard-hitting batters in the form of Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma, SKY, Tilak Varma, skipper Pandya, Tim Davi and Romario Shepherd. These batters are proven performers across the globe and expect them to light up the Mumbai sky on Thursday.

However, in their bowling, barring Bumrah and Coetzee, others haven’t played their strong hands. MI would likely use Akash Madhwal as impact sub to bolster their thin attack.

Meanwhile, RCB’s campaign is once again on a sticky wicket. They have managed just one win in 5 matches and lie a lowly-ninth on the points table.

In the last match, Virat Kohli even though he scored a century faced criticism for his slow strike rate that probably cost his team a few runs. His innings was outshone by a Buttler classic that also helped Rajasthan Royals pip past the RCB score.

A courageous decision for the RCB will be to alter their batting order and give the senior pros – Kohli, Faf and Maxwell – stiffer challenge of batting down the order. The logic is that it’s easier to score in the powerplay where younger players can also match whatever results current top order is producing. When the going gets tough in the latter overs, maybe these seniors with their experience, will be able to close the matches.  RCB are unlikely to take that stand and may face another stiff challenge in Mumbai.

MI vs RCB Probable 11:

Mumbai Indians Probable 11: Ishan Kishan (wk), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Mohammad Nabi, Gerald Coetzee, Piyush Chawla, Jasprit Bumrah

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Probable 11: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Glenn Maxwell, Saurav Chauhan, Cameron Green, Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Reece Topley, Mayank Dagar, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal