IPL 2021 — The beginning

Mumbai Indians to defend their IPL trophy: Campaign begins for the hattrick

IPL 2021 Match 1: MI v/s RCB

Mumbai Indians v/s Royal Challengers Bangalore

MI v/s RCB

• The H2H stats are loaded heavily in Mumbai Indian’s favor as they have won 17 out of 27 matches (62.96%) of the IPL matches and more importantly 8 out of last 10 (80%) head to head ties.
• The only 2 times RCB have won in last 10 matches against MI is once in an extremely close encounter, in a super over of IPL 2020 and the other in a much different RCB setup of IPL 2018 where they had Quinton de Kock and McCullum.
• The only fact supporting RCB would be that MI have lost opening matches in last 8 IPL campaigns.
• Incidentally, MI and RCB have met 2 times at Chennal. Once in IPL 2011 where Chris Gayle dominated the game with 89 and Vettori did the trick on a batting friendly but spinning pitch. the other in Champions League Final of 2011 where Harbhajan, Chahal & Malinga wrapped up RCB for mere 108 when they were chasing a relatively low score of 140. But these are from nearly a decade ago and too old to have any insight on current scenario.
• Worst fact could be that RCB have never won at Chepauk since 2011.
• In the most recent test match held at Chepauk only 7/40 (17.5%) wickets went to pace so it’s evident that the pitch is less conducive to pace and helps spinners a lot. So it will be interesting to see if Chahal who has had a good record at Chepauk can deliver for RCB.
• MI’s only considered weakness is it’s relatively inexperienced spin department with Chahar and all rounder Krunal. Now they have also brought Piyush Chawla in recent auction who has had some experience at with CSK.
• If we see RCB wins against MI, they have mainly relied on Gayle and ABD to deliver. ABD has never got out and finished the innings in style whenever RCB have won against MI. ABD has 260 runs in 4 wins including the mammoth 133* in IPL 2015. Similarly Gayle contribution in the 4 RCB wins has been 13,92,82,89. The problem is they don’t have Gayle now. So Padikkal and Kohli will have to step up.
• Apart from this a major factor in any match is the match winner Mumbai Indian’s captain who averages just 7 (49 runs in 7 innings) when RCB beat Mumbai. However, despite a dismal record at Chepauk, he scored a brilliant 161 against England at Chennai in a low scoring test match. So he will be the key wicket for RCB.
• Padikkal scored half centuries in both matches against MI in IPL 2020 (54 & 74). RCB will bet on him if he is fit to play post covid.
• Pollard has chipped in with quick runs frequently against RCB after the top order failed and also at Chepauk (For MI vs CSK & for Windies). Pollard has most runs (537 runs at an avg. of 41.31) and highest SR of 167.29 amongst any IPL opponents, against RCB.

Performers: ABD for RCB , Pollard for MI

Going by stats ABD and Pollard are most likely to perform well in this match.

Game Influencers: ABD, Kohli, Rohit

All 3 have the ability to take the game away from the opponents.

X-Factor: Pollard, Padikkal, Chahal

These players may make the ultimate difference to the team’s victory.

Dark Horses: Surya Kumar Yadav (SKY), Ishan Kishan, Maxwell and Lynn.

For SKY & Ishan, not a great consistency against RCB or at Chepauk, but have ability to spring up a surprise). Same goes for Maxwell and Lynn. Lynn would have free license with a strong Mumbai batting lineup while Maxwell will come when hitting is a must.

• IPL and t20 in general is a batsman game. However, here at Chepauk, the role of spinners will be crucial.