Let’s cite two matches from the 2015 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for a better understanding of how MI vs RCB contests roll. Our batsmen scored 209/7 in 20 overs and restricted RCB to 191/7 at RCB’s home, the M. Chinnaswamy stadium. Later, in the same season, RCB came over to the Wankhede stadium and scored 235/1 and restricted us to 196/7. If the contest gives goosebumps by looking at the scores itself, how exciting can be watching these teams fire runs all around the stadium?

However, in these tight contests, we hold an upper hand. We have never lost against RCB in the last two seasons, since that loss in 2015 at home. Out of 21 matches played, we have won 13 ties, while RCB emerged victorious in 8 games. Rohit’s sublime 56 runs off 37 balls at Wankhede Stadium and Pollard’s rescue act of 70 runs in 47 balls helped us cruise to victory in both the contests last season.

We will be facing RCB on 17^th April at our home, while RCB will host us at M. Chinnaswamy stadium on 1^st May. The RCB side is known for its aggressive approach, be it with the bat or the ball and their current squad, with some new players, brings the same to the table. The batting line-up which includes Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Brendon McCullum will certainly pose a threat to any bowling unit. Tim Southee won’t be seen in the MI blue this season. Instead, he’ll be bowling in RCB colours. Parthiv Patel, who was the highest run-scorer for us in the last season, is another player to be bought by RCB this season.

Yuzvendra Chahal, Umesh Yadav and Nathan Coulter-Nile are also among their lethal fleet of bowlers. English all-rounders, Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali will provide promising reinforcements in the middle order for RCB, who were criticized of being top-heavy in previous seasons. Yuzvendra Chahal has been in fantastic form on the South African tour and it will be extremely interesting to see how our batsmen deal with him. Apart from Chahal, Virat Kohli, who was retained by RCB, will certainly look to make an impact in both the games. The RCB coach, Daniel Vettori won’t be ready to concede a fifth consecutive defeat against us, as he will prepare to visit Mumbai on 17^th April. One of the most awaited battles in these clashes will be between Krunal Pandya & AB de Villiers. The older Pandya has dismissed him in all four games that he has featured in against RCB. Will Mr. 360 have an answer this time around?

Despite history favouring us, neither of those two fixtures will be easy. We have an advantage of having a strong bowling unit to stop their ace batsmen from taking away the game. Also, Pollard has a fantastic record against RCB, and he will be keen to go all guns blazing against them. RCB will be keen to erase memories of the last four defeats. We can expect a couple of nail-biting encounters as we look forward to extending our winning streak against them.