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Mumbai Indians
Royal Challengers Bangaluru
The Mumbai Indians will take on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 21st match of IPL 2025 at Wankhede Stadium. RCB has had a solid start with 2 wins in 3 games, placing them third on the points table. With 1 win in 3 matches, MI is currently sixth. However, MI will be tough to beat at home, especially as its form starts improving.
MI's strength lies in its core group of Indian players, which gives the team depth and flexibility. On the other hand, RCB will depend heavily on its opening bowlers to set the tone. If they struggle, RCB could be in trouble.
The head-to-head stats favour MI with 21 wins compared to RCBβs 14. However, RCB has won 3 of the last 5 meetings. Chasing teams have won 4 of those 5 matches, including MIβs last two victories against RCB.
Wankhede is a batting-friendly venue with short boundaries, and both teams have batters who are capable of playing big knocks in this match.
The betting tip is...
1st innings - Any player to score a fifty
64 %
36 %
Mumbai IndiansRoyal Challengers BangaluruMumbai Indians will enter this match after a dominant win over Kolkata Knight Riders. Their bowlers set the tone early, dismissing KKR for just 117 on a batting-friendly Wankhede pitch. The chase was comfortable, as MI finished the job in 12.5 overs.
Ryan Rickelton will look to continue his form after scoring an unbeaten 62 off 41 in the last game. Suryakumar Yadav, who smashed 27 off just 9 balls, has already scored 104 runs in 3 matches at a strike rate of 165. Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya will add stability and can accelerate when required.
Deepak Chahar and Trent Boult will lead the bowling attack. Chahar has taken 4 wickets in 3 games at an economy of 9.50. Ashwani Kumar impressed with 4-24 on debut and could be a key factor again.
Rickelton, Suryakumar and Chahar are the key players.
Predicted Lineup: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Ashwani Kumar.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will look to bounce back after facing their first defeat of the season. They have used the same playing XI in all matches so far and will likely continue with it. RCBβs batting lineup has depth till number eight, giving them a strong cushion in case of an early collapse.
Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, and Rajat Patidar have scored 102, 97, and 97 runs, respectively. Salt and Patidar have batted at strike rates of 170 and 161.66. Tim David, batting lower down the order, has scored at a blistering strike rate of 207.69. Jitesh Sharma and Liam Livingstone have maintained strike rates of 166.66 and 146.29.
Josh Hazlewood is the third-highest wicket-taker this season with 6 wickets. Yash Dayal and Krunal Pandya have picked up 3 each. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been economical at 6.14 and has taken 2 wickets.
Salt, Kohli and Hazlewood are the key players.
Predicted Lineup: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal
This match is likely to be a high-scoring contest. Both MI and RCB have powerful batting lineups with players who can strike hard. The Wankhede pitch has been great for batting, and the small boundaries make it easier to clear the ropes.
Whichever team that bats first will have a good chance to post a big total. Players like Rickelton, Suryakumar, Salt, and Patidar have already shown they can score quickly. With the kind of batting depth both sides have, at least a few batters are expected to play big knocks.
Batting first at Wankhede usually gives a clear edge, and both teams will want to make the most of that. Expect one or two standout batting performances in the first innings.
