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IPL 2017, MI v RCB, preview: Can RCB now play party-poopers?

Indian Premier League 2017, MI v RCB: The two teams have met 22 times, with Mumbai winning 14 and losing eight

On of the most exciting teams in the world of franchisee T20 leagues has to be Royal Challengers Bangalore, but with their current showing they have already lost the right to enter the playoffs. That is how horrendous RCB’s season has been. On the other end, Mumbai Indians have been having their best ever season in the history of the league.

The two teams have met 22 times, with Mumbai winning 14 and losing eight. Recent history is also on Mumbai’s side – they have won five of their last six matches against Royal Challengers.

Mumbai have been the most settled team this season. They have only used 15 players so far, eight of whom have played all nine of their matches.

MI would be hoping to drive home the advantage and maintain the numero uno stand at the points table as that will help them in the playoffs.

Krunal Pandya has dismissed AB de Villiers three times in as many innings, conceding only 12 runs off 21 balls in that time. So, getting Krunal early to ABD could be a well-planned out strategy.

Overwhelmed & overjoyed! #RohitSharma wouldn’t stop reading the wishes the Paltan had sent him! #CricketMeriJaan #HappyBirthdayRohit pic.twitter.com/J16Rxqi2hN

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 30, 2017

Likely teams:

Mumbai Indians: 1 Parthiv Patel (wk), 2 Jos Buttler, 3 Nitish Rana, 4 Rohit Sharma (capt), 5 Krunal Pandya, 6 Kieron Pollard, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Mitchell McClenaghan, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Jasprit Bumrah

Royal Challengers Bangalore: 1 Travis Head/Chris Gayle, 2 Virat Kohli, 3 AB de Villiers, 4 Kedar Jadhav (wk), 5 Sachin Baby/Mandeep Singh, 6 Stuart Binny, 7 Pawan Negi, 8 Samuel Badree, 9 S Aravind, 10 Yuzvendra Chahal, 11 Tymal Mills/Adam Milne