Two sides who can’t afford to lose meet in the Indian Premier League on Wednesday when the Royal Challengers Bangalore host the Mumbai Indians in Bangalore.
Both teams have been inconsistent this season and find themselves needing to win a run of matches to make it back to the playoff mix and that has to begin here. Losing isn’t an option for either.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Bangalore finally managed to defend a score in their last match but even then the Kings XI Punjab team got within one run of chasing down Bangalore’s 175/6 so the Royal Challengers shouldn’t think they are out of the mire yet.
Chris Jordan was meant to be the man to rescue their bowling attack but he has been expensive in the two matches that he has played so far. He might well be replaced but maybe the fact he held his nerve in the last game could get him another match.
Mumbai Indians
The defending champions have put up a stuttering defence of their title. Just when they looked like they were getting into the swing of things this season they suffered a massive defeat to the Sunrisers Hyderabad last time out, a defeat which the margin of has killed their net run rate which is less than ideal.
They were flogged with the ball in their hands in the last game and offered little resistance with the bat and if they are to regroup and get back into the playoff mix they simply have to start batting more consistently. In Mitchell McClenaghan they at least have one of the leading wicket takers in the competition.
Team news
It remains to be seen how long Bangalore can keep on stuttering and not play Chris Gayle. With Travis Head near enough anonymous in the last two matches and Chris Jordan proving expensive there are two players he could replace if they want to.
Mumbai Indians might feel the need to refresh their batting line up. Martin Guptill could come in for Tim Southee and open the batting with Jos Buttler donning the gloves. That would be one option and another is to play Corey Anderson but whichever way they go something must change.
Form
Royal Challengers Bangalore: WLLWLLLWW
Mumbai Indians: LWLLWLWWWL
Head to head: Royal Challengers Bangalore 8-11 Mumbai Indians
In Bangalore: Royal Challengers Bangalore 1-5 Mumbai Indians
M Chinnaswamy Stadium
The Chinnaswamy has really reverted to type again this season. In the four previous matches on this ground the lowest total has been 182 and the run fest is set to continue here.
The ground doesn’t need any describing. There has been enough cricket played here for everyone to work the place out. It is tiny, the ball travels further in the air and the boundaries are attainable for anyone. With two powerful batting line ups expect the ears to be pinned back and the runs to flow.
Betting
I’m very tempted to back the Mumbai Indians at odds against here with their record on this ground but I just can’t bring myself to bet on the match outcome before the toss because of the dimensions of the venue.
Given that is the case I’m heading for the sixes market and after the fireworks Kieron Pollard produced when these two met in Mumbai earlier in the season I’m more than happy to go back in on them again here.
These two sides know only one way to play and that is to pin the ears back and swing for glory and that is what I expect to see for 40 overs here. There is talk that Chris Gayle will return for this match and he’s too good for his rough trot to continue throughout the tournament so if he comes off he’ll dramatically reduce the sixes target very quickly.
We need 16 sixes to win if we take the overs here and that’s exactly what I expect to see and if both sides get off to good starts I would imagine we will see plenty more than that too.
Tips
WON – Back 16 or more sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Bet365
Back it here:
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