IPL 2021 gets underway on Friday with a mouth-watering clash between defending champions Mumbai Indians and a star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore. The season opener pits two of India's biggest players in recent times in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both, though, have had contrasting fortunes while leading their respective teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL). While Rohit Sharma has led the Mumbai outfit to a record five titles, Virat Kohli is yet to get his hands on the coveted IPL trophy.
When it comes to clashes between the two teams in the IPL, Mumbai Indian once again rule the roost. In fact, they have been streets ahead of RCB in the tournament over the years.
The two teams have faced each other 27 times with Mumbai Indians emerging victorious on 17 occasions while RCB have won just nine. One match ended in a tie with RCB going on to win following Super Over.
Mumbai Indians' best win percentage (83.33) is against Pune Warriors, who they beat five times in six matches, followed by Kolkata Knight Riders against whom MI have played 27 times, winning 21 of those matches.
After Pune Warriors and KKR, MI's best win percentage is against RCB -- 64.81.
Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
Matches Played: 27
MI Won: 17
RCB Won: 9
Tied: 1 (RCB won the following Super Over)
In the early stages of the IPL, there was little to separate the two teams with both winning at least one match in clashes against each other till 2015.
Post 2015, Mumbai Indians nearly have a monopoly on wins over RCB. In 2016 and 2017, RCB failed to win even a single match while the same happened in 2019. Since 2016, RCB have won just 2 matches (including a Super Over win 2020) against MI while the latter have triumphed eight times.
This year, with no home comforts for any of the teams, it could swing either way. Mumbai Indians as usual are strong as ever while RCB have a more balanced feel to their squad with some marquee buys in the IPL auction adding to the already star-studded line-up.
(Stats from ESPNcricinfo)