Lot would be at stake when Mumbai Indians host Royal Challengers at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Both the teams are strong contenders for playoffs and Mumbai who are at third spot on the points table are better position than Bangalore who are lying at seventh.

A defeat for MI would not mean much as they could still pick up on other matches they would play but a defeat for RCB at this stage would put a serious dent on their hopes. The teams would know about it and would go all guns out.

Both the teams have good players in their arsenal and here are some of them who would be in thick of action in today’s tie.

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Chris Gayle: He became the first player in the history of IPL to hit 100 sixes. Lot would depend on him as to how he plays at the top of the innings. He is a contender for the Orange Cap and MI would have to counter him if they want to win the match. He can be very punishing and can hit bowlers almost at will. RCB would want him to fire today big time.

AB de Villiers: AB de Villiers is leaving no stone unturned to prove that he is the most dependable cricketers of the World cricket at present. He has helped RCB out of dire straits couple of times now and his last minute cameos takes away the game from opposition from a very healthy position. He has all the shots in his book and executes them to perfection.

Zaheer Khan: This ace Indian fast bowler has got his rhythm back and is bowling beautifully. Zaheer is the premier fast bowler in the RCB team and he is bowling the way his team needs him to bowl. Upfront he is a lethal bowler as he makes the ball move both sides and later in the innings he is very effective with his Yorkers and slower bouncers.

Vinay Kumar: He has bowled some decent spells in the tournament but overall he has failed to create the impression that was expected of him. He is a skitty type of bowler and can generate pace from the wicket. He has some sharp bouncers in his armory is an intelligent bowler in the death overs.

Mumbai Indians:

Rohit Sharma: Rohit Sharma is in great form and RCB would be wary of it. He played a major role in helping Mumbai clinch a superb victory over Chennai Super Kings in the last match. Bangalore would have a strategy in place for him because they know if he gets going they would barely stand a chance in the match.

Sachin Tendulkar: He came back to form in the last match and was at his aggressive best. He took the attack to the bowlers and all the shots he played were pure cricketing shots. And if the little master continues his good form today, Bangalore hardly would stand a chance in the match.

Lasith Malinga: Malinga as always is in contention for the purple cap. He has been bowling well and has already shown that if a team has to beat Mumbai than they will have to go past his deadly Yorkers. He is a bowler who rarely has an off-day and he has not had that so far in the tournament. He will once again lead the Mumbai’s bowling unit and with the crowd behind his back, he will be a player to watch out for.

Munaf Patel: His on-field behaviour is under scrutiny, but his resiliency can help is absolutely superb. Munaf is a very talented bowler and has shown his worth at the international level time and again. He bowls consistently at a good length and can bowl some good Yorkers in the death overs. Munaf will once again be expected to perform at the level, he himself has set.

By Samikshan Dutta Choudhury

Indian Sports News Network