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In one of the most high-profile clashes of IPL 2023, the Mumbai Indians (MI) will host the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday, May 9.
In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, RCB beat MI by eight wickets at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Since then, both teams have witnessed a lot of ups and downs, with each winning five out of their 10 games and are placed in the middle of the IPL 2023 points table. Bangalore are sixth owing to having a better net run rate than eighth-placed Mumbai.
Both teams are coming into the contest on the back of defeats and will be desperate to put their campaigns back on track. While Mumbai went down against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), RCB suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of the Delhi Capitals (DC).
With the tournament nearing its business end, both teams will want to return to winning ways. Bowlers will be under the spotlight on a small ground like Wankhede. They will have to be on their toes and bowl the right line and length to contain the batters.
On that note, let's take a look at three players who will pick up the most wickets in today's MI vs RCB clash.
#1 Josh Hazlewood - RCB
The Australian fast bowler has made an impact straightaway after returning from injury. Josh Hazlewood has picked up three wickets in two IPL 2023 matches at an economy rate of 7.33.
With Mohammed Siraj's form falling flat in the last few games, Hazlewood holds the key for RCB with the new ball. The Aussie is known to keep things tight and is expected to wreak havoc inside the powerplay.
If he gets some assistance off the surface, expect Hazlewood to pick up a few early wickets against MI's misfiring top order.
#2 Piyush Chawla - MI
The senior leg-spinner has been a revelation for MI in this year's IPL. Piyush Chawla was roped in by Mumbai as the second-choice option but he has owned his place in the playing XI with consistent performances.
He has already picked up 17 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 16.47 at an average of 7.18.
Piyush has been Rohit Sharma's go-to bowler in the middle overs and the MI skipper will once again rely on the veteran spinner to deliver against the star-studded RCB batting unit.
#3 Wanindu Hasaranga - RCB
Wanindu Hasaranga has failed to replicate his last year's performance in IPL 2023, picking up only seven wickets in as many games. He has also been a touch expensive, conceding at 8.20 runs per over.
However, this might be the game when Hasaranga storms back to form. The Sri Lankan leg-spinner will be keen to repay the trust shown in him by the RCB management.
The 25-year-old has several variations in his arsenal and will look to work his magic against MI. If he finds his rhythm, expect him to be amongst the wickets tonight.
