Mumbai Indians (MI) will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 25th match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. Having won one game out of four, MI are placed eighth in the IPL 2024 standings. On the other hand, RCB are placed ninth in the IPL 2024 standings with two points on the board after winning only just one match out of five games. Ahead of a high-octane clash, we look at the predicted XIs of both sides.
MI Predicted XI
Rohit Sharma
Former Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma has had a good start to the IPL 2024. The star opening batter has scored 118 runs in four innings this season. His form will be crucial for MI's success against RCB on Thursday.
Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper)
Hard-hitting batter Ishan Kishan has struggled in the top-order in IPL 2024 so far. Having scored only 92 runs in four matches, Ishan has failed to find a rhythm with the bat. The southpaw was MI's second-highest run-scorer with 454 runs in 15 matches last year.
Suryakumar Yadav
The National Cricket Academy has cleared MI's talisman, Suryakumar Yadav, and the swashbuckling batsman has joined the Mumbai camp ahead of the last match against DC. Though he did not make an impact in the previous match, he will attempt to rebound in this one.
Tilak Varma
Tilak Varma has been one of the shining lights for Mumbai this year. The southpaw has scored 127 runs in four innings at an impressive average of 31.75 and will be gearing up to perform against RCB.
Hardik Pandya (captain)
Mumbai Indians' new skipper Hardik Pandya has failed to convert quick starts into big scores this year. The right-hander has scored only 108 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 138.46.
Tim David
Australian explosive batter Tim David looked stuttering on the slow tracks against SRH and GT. The Singapore-born cricketer has scored 115 runs in four matches this season and will look to go big against RCB.
Romario Shepherd
MI's bowling all-rounder Romario Shepherd produced a match-winning knock against DC in their previous fixture. Batting at No.7, Shepherd slammed unbeaten 39 off just 10 balls to power MI to 234/5 in their 20 overs. He later bagged the important wicket of David Warner.
Mohammad Nabi
The Afghan all-rounder has only played one match in this season's IPL. Although he bowled just two overs in their last game, Nabi could provide more stability to MI against RCB at Wankhede.
Gerald Coetzee
The young and promising fast bowler from South Africa, Gerald Coetzee, has been a regular starter for Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2024. Coetzee has taken seven wickets in four matches.
Piyush Chawla
India leg-spinner Piyush Chawla has found it difficult to replicate his IPL 2023 success this year. The veteran spinner has picked only two wickets in four matches.
Jasprit Bumrah
MI pace bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has once again delivered the goods this year. Apart from being economical, Bumrah has bagged five wickets in four matches this season.
Impact Sub
Akash Madhwal
RCB Predicted XI
Faf du Plessis (captain)
South African veteran Faf du Plessis is expected to open the innings for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Unlike his opening partner, Faf hasn't had a good start to IPL 2024 and has scored 109 runs in five matches.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli will open along with RCB skipper Faf du Plessis. Kohli has carried his stunning ICC Men's CWC 2023 form into IPL 2024 and is the current Orange Cap holder with 316 runs from five matches with a highest score of 113*.
Rajat Patidar
Rajat Patidar adds much-needed support to the opening batters by batting at No. 3 for RCB. He showed glimpses of returning to his best in the last game and will be hoping to make an impact in the upcoming contest.
Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell has had an underwhelming run with the bat in the ongoing IPL season. However, he has taken four wickets in the opening five matches, and it is surely just a matter of time before he finds his form with the bat as well.
Cameron Green
Maxwell's compatriot Cameron Green has been in decent touch with both bat and ball this season. The all-rounder has scored 105 runs and clinched two wickets in five matches for RCB.
Saurav Chuahan
Saurav Chuahan played his first match of the season against RR, scoring 9 runs at a strike rate of 150. The talented batter is expected to be given another opportunity to demonstrate his hitting ability.
Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik has stepped up and added important runs on the scoreboard for RCB whenever required. The experienced wicketkeeper-batter has been in good form this season and has scored 90 runs in five matches at an impressive strike rate of 173.08.
Anuj Rawat (wicketkeeper)
Bengaluru's Anuj Rawat could be a key inclusion to the side. So far, Rawat has scored 73 runs in four matches but he can do much better as shown in the first match of the season, where he made 48.
Reece Topley
English pacer Reece Topley has played two matches for RCB in the ongoing season and he has taken three wickets. He will try to contribute more in this encounter against MI.
Mohammed Siraj
In-form Indian fast-bowler Mohammed Siraj will open proceedings against MI. Siraj has four wickets to his name in five matches and will be hoping to provide early breakthroughs against a star-studded MI side.
Yash Dayal
Having been amongst the wickets for RCB in IPL 2024, Yash Dayal will look to assist Siraj in leading the pace bowling attack on Thursday. So far, Dayal has taken five wickets in five matches this season.
Impact Sub
Mahipal Lomror/Vijaykumar Vyshak