RCB vs MI review

2nd April is a famous day for Indian cricket, and the year 2023 was no different. Royal Challengers Bangalore started off their campaign with a comprehensive win over 5 time champions, the Mumbai Indians, at the M Chinnaswamy stadium, Bangalore on Sunday. For RCB, a lot of positives came but for the Mumbai Indians, some major concerns have emerged from this obliterating defeat.

After winning the toss and choosing to bowl first, the RCB bowlers ran riot against the MI openers. Ishan Kishan was removed after scoring a couple of boundaries by Mohammad Siraj, who kept his bowling tight and created pressure. And the tall Englishman Reece Topley then removed the dangerous Cameron Green by cleaning him up right after being struck for a four. Skipper Rohit Sharma lasted 10 balls, and only scored a solitary run as Siraj kept him quiet, right before Akash Deep removed him.

Following this was a dominant bowling performances by the Bangalore bowlers, as Surya Kumar Yadav too couldn't make an impact and was sent packing after scoring 15 off 16. All the bowlers, including Michael Bracewell, Harshal Patel and the veteran leg spinner, Karn Sharma picked up wickets.

Mumbai were left stranded at 123/7 at 17.1 overs. But a late rescue by young Tilak Varma got Mumbai to safety. The youngster scored an impactful 84 off 46 balls as the death over woes came back to haunt RCB, fueled by the absence of Reece Topley, who left the field after a dislocated shoulder. Varma's Blitz got Mumbai 60 runs in the last 4 overs, giving them a ray of hope. But RCB weren't worried as the surface was an absolute belter, and would get better in the 2nd innings.

Chasing 172, captain Faf du Plessis and former captain Virat Kohli came out and they could smell blood. The two veterans started positively, scoring runs at a healthy rate. The men in red scored 53 in the powerplay with no trouble, barring the half chance of Virat Kohli being dropped by Jofra Archer in the first ball of his spell. Faf accelerated in the Cameron Green over, while Virat held strong at the other end. The captain got to his fifty in 29 balls, while Kohli got to his landmark in 38 balls. They targeted all the bowlers, except Piyush Chawla who kept it tight. But after reaching his fifty, Kohli was in no mood to slow down, as he was set and grabbed the momentum. Du Plessis eventually fell to Arshad Khan at 148, and the decision to send Dinesh Karthik didn't work as he fell for a 3rd ball duck to Cameron Green. But by that time, the game was merely a formality. The King had grabbed the momentum, and "Big Show" Glenn Maxwell came in and struck two back-to-back sixes of Green. with 11 needed from 24, Virat Kohli hit a four, and just like MS Dhoni did on 2nd April, 2011... finished it with a six over long-on, resulting in an 8-wicket ruthless win over the men in blue and gold.

This loss marked the 11th consecutive defeat for MI in the opening game off the season. MI's bowling woes showed as they struggled to get their first wicket, and couldn't control the run flow. The bowling attack, without Indian pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, was too dependant on Archer. And the batting top order once again, couldn't get its act together... with Rohit, Ishan not being able to get off to good starts. Green's lack of IPL experience and an inexperienced middle order, leaves Mumbai's team with many holes to fill this season, with Tilak Varma's form being the only silver lining. If the boys in blue want to get their 6th title, these issues need fixing.

For RCB, the game marked their win at their home ground after almost 1400 days. Kohli started the season with a bang, and Faf carried his splendid form from other T20 leagues, making RCB strong at the top. Maxwell's two sixes showed that he's going to be very dangerous, with Bracewell, Dinesh Karthik and Shahbaaz Ahmed to come. The bowling looks good with Siraj's wonderful spell at the start, and the spinner Karn Sharma looking solid. But the injury of Reece Topley could pose a concern, although his dislocation was put back in place before the match ended. The death over woes, though, continued for RCB, as they leaked 60 in the last 4 overs. Siraj gave 5 wides in his last over, and Harshal Patel leaked a few too many, despite taking a wicket. Except a couple of minor gaps, the men in red look good and if they continue this form, one can expect them to go a long way.