IPL 2019: Match 7, RCB vs MI - Three predicted changes for today’s big game

The Royal Challengers Bangalore would be taking on the Mumbai Indians in one of the most anticipated clashes of IPL 2019. These two teams have produced many thrillers over the years. Both the teams lost their first encounters and would be looking to get back on track.

While RCB were thrashed by the defending champions Chennai Super Kings in the inaugural match, Mumbai Indians were humbled by the Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede stadium. Although Mumbai are perennial slow starters, a one-sided loss for RCB in the first match against CSK might have rung the alarm bells.

Both the teams would be looking to plug the loopholes that cost them the game. The Chinnaswamy track played fine in the T20 match between India and Australia and is expected to be a batting paradise this year. Let us take a look at some of the changes that both the teams might make for this game.

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#1 Washington Sundar for Navdeep Saini (RCB)

Washington Sundar is a good option in the powerplay as well.

Navdeep Saini made his IPL debut in the inaugural match of this season against the Chennai Super Kings. However, the Delhi lad could not do much of note in his debut game. Batting at the number 8 position with more than 10 overs left, Saini had a great opportunity to show his batting skills but could only score 2 runs.

With the ball, he was unable to pick up a wicket, having figures of 0/24 from his four overs. The lack of spin options clearly showed in the last game as Virat Kohli could only use Yuzvendra Chahal and Moeen Ali.

Washington Sundar is a capable batsman and can get the boundaries in the death overs. With the ball, he does a very effective role of stemming the flow of runs. Sundar can also bowl in the powerplays as well. Hence, it would be a no-brainer if Kohli opts for Sundar in place of Saini.

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#2 Mayank Markande for Rasikh Salam (MI)

Mayank was very impressive last year.

The inclusion of Rasikh Salam in the first game against the Delhi Capitals raised quite a few eyebrows. The 17-year-old from Jammu & Kashmir can hustle the batsmen with his pace and swing. However, he was taken to the cleaners in the last game, having figures of 0/42 from his four overs.

Rasikh is a promising youngster but his lack of experience may get exposed at the biggest stage in world cricket. He may find the going tough against Virat Kohli and co.

Leg spinners are a force to reckon with in the T20s. Mayank Markande was the breakout star of last year’s IPL. The leg-spinner was very impressive last year, picking up 15 wickets from 14 matches. Mumbai dearly missed his services in the last game against Delhi as Rohit Sharma had only one spin option in Krunal Pandya.

Hence, a straight swap between Salam and Markande is likely to take place.

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#1 Lasith Malinga for Mitchell McClenaghan (MI)

Lasith Malinga

Mitchell McClenaghan has been one of the consistent performers in the IPL for the Mumbai Indians. The 32-year old from New Zealand picked up 3 wickets in his last game against Delhi as well. But he was a bit expensive in the death overs, eventually finishing with figures of 3/40.

Mumbai’s bowling was woeful in the death overs, leaking a massive 82 runs from the last 5. Jasprit Bumrah could not get his yorkers rolling and was hammered around by Rishabh Pant. Mumbai desperately needs another death overs specialist.

Lasith Malinga is the leading wicket-taker in IPL’s history, having 154 wickets in his kitty. He will be joining his beloved franchise today after being released by the Sri Lanka Cricket. His mixtures of cutters and yorkers have proved too hot to handle in the last few years.

Malinga can play the perfect foil to Bumrah and can help in choking the runs in the fag end of the innings. He is likely to take the place of McClenaghan in the MI line up.

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