Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, IPL 2016, Match 15 at Mumbai: Virat Kohli vs Mitchell McClenaghan and 4 other key battles

Two sides looking to get back to winning ways take on each other when the Mumbai Indians (MI) play host to the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) tonight at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Both teams have concerns in different areas of their team. While MI has a decent enough bowling lineup, they have struggled to post a big enough total on the board. On the other hand, RCB’s famed batting has clicked, but their less than flattering bowling lineup has failed them in the previous match.

With both sides geared up for the tie, let us look at some of the battles that could decide the outcome:

Virat Kohli vs Mitchell McClenaghan

In what could be a mouthwatering battle, Virat will come up against a wily customer In Mitch McClenaghan. The only Kiwi quick to make a mark in the T20 World Cup, Mitch will be keen to dislodge the mainstay in the RCB line-up. With Gayle out of touch, both openers in the hut early would be fantastic for MI. Virat, the RCB skipper would be looking to continue his rich vein of form and take on McClenaghan while providing a rollicking start to his side. Whoever comes out on top, this will be a superb duel!

Shane Watson vs Tim Southee

Shane Watson is most likely to open in Chris Gayle’s absence. The recently retired Australian All-Rounder has been in decent form coming into the Tournament. RCB would hope that in the absence if Gayle RCB can build a formidable opening partnership. At the opposite end is a man who has seen it all. Tim Southee is a fantastic exponent of swing bowling and if the ball swings today at the Wankhede, Southee would be licking his lips. Getting Watson early is only a part of the bigger battle, but certainly one that could shape the outcome of the match.

AB DeVilliers vs Jasprit Bumrah

Mr.360! There seems to be no shot that AB Devilliers cannot play and no bowling attack that he has not mauled. MI will know this all too well. Last time these two sides met, AB hammered a 59 ball 133, carting the MI bowlers to all corners of the park. Not partial to any part of the ground, bowling to AB can be a nightmare. The task to stop him will be on Jasprit Bumrah. Young Jasprit has proven to be somewhat of a death bowling and yorker specialist so the onus will be on him to prevent AB from unleashing his full repertoire of shots. Last season, with AB on 40 from 10 balls, it was Jasprit who dismissed the Protean, to prevent RCB from scripting an unlikely victory. MI will hope that Jasprit can repeat those heroics else it will be complete déjà vu once Mr. 360 gets going.

Rohit Sharma vs Kane Richardson

Rohit, the skipper, and talisman in the MI side has to lead his team with the bat as well. His languid strokeplay has been a joy to watch over the years and MI will want their man to get going quickly tonight as well. To stop him is Australian tearaway Adam Milne. With genuine pace and a knack for picking up key wickets, Richardson could well be the man who arrests the MI charge before it gets going. Dismiss Rohit early and the match is won, seems to be the mantra for teams this season against MI. Richardson will want that to continue and Rohit will be looking to buck that trend and show his home crowd what he is truly capable of.

Jos Buttler vs Varun Aaron

Buttler has had a poor IPL so far after a superb world cup. His ability to start off against spin seems circumspect although he did well against Brad Hogg in the victory against KKR. Aaron will have a point to prove. After a decent IPL outing last season Chahal where he became a household name for most Bangaloreans, he has had a poor couple of games. So he’s out for this match, and Aaron replaces him. He will hope that he can nip out Buttler early to halt the mid-innings charge for MI. Failure to do that could well have us see Buttler unleash one of his specials tonight.