IPL 2018: AB de Villiers Doubtful for the Mumbai Indians Clash

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) star batsman, AB de Villiers is likely to miss the all-important clash against the defending champions Mumbai Indians at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on May 1 (Tuesday).

Meanwhile, De Villiers missed RCB’s previous game due to viral fever against Kolkata Knight Riders. New Zealand bowler Tim Southee replaced him playing his first match of the season.

However, it will be a huge blow for Bangalore if the star batsman failed to make it for the game. Moreover, he has scored runs consistently and is one of the important stakeholders in that line-up.

De Villiers has so far scored 280 runs from six games and the team management will badly want him back. RCB, meanwhile, needs to win six out of their seven games to give themselves a chance of qualifying in the playoffs.

If he gets fit, de Villiers is likely to replace Colin de Grandhomme. The Kiwi all-rounder had an average outing in the last game as Kohli didn’t bowl him once. However, Tim Southee is likely to retain his place in the playing XI.

Do-or-die clash against Mumbai

The batting department has clicked for RCB, however, it is their bowling that has struggled. The bowlers have failed to pick wickets as they find themselves on the wrong half the table.

Although Umesh Yadav has bowled well in bit and pieces, he has lacked consistency. Other bowlers, barring Yuzvendra Chahal, have failed to make a mark so far, the main reason behind RCB’s debacle in the season.

Meanwhile, the bowling department needs to step up if RCB wants to make any inroads against Mumbai.

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