Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Mumbai Indians Royal Challengers Bangalore
Image Credits: Twitter

Mumbai Indians have been having the upper hand over most of the franchises and they will start as the favorites in the opening encounter against RCB in IPL 2021. Mumbai will be missing Quinton De Kock in the playing XI for the first game but they have an equal replacement with Chris Lynn.

Mumbai has had the edge over RCB in the last five encounters winning thrice and RCB winning twice. Overall, the two teams have clashed with each other 29 times in the IPL and Mumbai has won 19 times out of it while RCB has won just 10 times. Here are 3 reasons why Mumbai Indians can win the season opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Trent Boult
Trent Boult (Image Credit: Twitter)

3 Reasons Why MI Can Win The Season Opener Against RCB:

Strong Indian core:

Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya.
Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya. Image-Twitter.

Mumbai Indians have a strong Indian core and they have a pretty much-settled batting lineup whereas RCB will be looking to bring Mohammad Azharudeen into the mix in the playing XI. Mumbai’s Indian contingent remains one of the best in the tournament and they have had a big impact on the successful campaign for MI.

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Mumbai has the likes of Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Krunal Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rahul Chahar who are all part of the current Indian squad. Mumbai has also roped in experienced Piyush Chawla and also has backup Indian talents from the domestic circuit. The first XI looks very strong for Mumbai and it is going to be very tough for RCB to beat them.

Excellent Captaincy:

Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma (Image Credit: Twitter)

Rohit as a captain has been fantastic over the years in the IPL and has won five titles already which is the most by any player in history. Rohit’s captaincy has been tested in the 2017 and 2019 IPL, where he got the better of the opponent in crunch situations in a final and won the trophy on both occasions.

His decision-making and field setting has been of the highest standard and he has reaped the benefits out of it. His captaincy stint in IPL has urged the fans to look for a captaincy change in international matches too. He has brought the right bowlers at the right time and it will be tough for the RCB to cause an upset in Rohit’s captaincy.

Destructive Finishers and Death Overs Specialists:

Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah in IPL
Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah [Image-PTI]
Mumbai Indians have some of the best finishers in the modern game with the likes of Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, and Kieron Pollard. They bat deep until seven and all three batsmen can be used as a floater. RCB has been lacking finishers which will be a major problem for them in this IPL too and rely heavily on top order.

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Mumbai Indians also have the presence of Jasprit Bumrah in the squad who has been outstanding for Mumbai and is ranked among the top bowlers in the world. He formed a great partnership with Trent Boult last year and both picked up 52 wickets together. RCB on the other hand doesn’t have much experience in their bowling and will have to depend on Mohammad Siraj and Navdeep Saini to come good.