After having won their opening match, MI have slumped to successive losses now, and a win against RCB is not really a must, but something, which will hold them in good stead, in the long run of IPL 2026. And how will that win be achieved? That can come if they can make a couple of changes from the last match, and not any more.
No changes needed in top 7
Mumbai Indians are lucky to possess a really secure batting line-up, that doesn’t need any change at all, whatsoever. Even though they are yet to fire at their full capacity, it is a well-gelled unit. Rohit Sharma has 118 runs in 3 matches, at an average of 39. Rickelton has added 98 at an average of 32. Suryakumar Yadav has failed with only 73, but that can change soon.
Tilak Varma with 34 runs in three innings has been utter disappointment. But nonetheless, it is still early days in the tournament. It will soon fall into place for their batting unit.
Allah Ghazanfar out, Santner in
The Afghan spinner has been ordinary in the two matches so far, and his economy has been 12. MI would want to change that, and get in Mitchell Santner, who is a lot more reliable. In the only match the Kiwi all-rounder played, he gave away only 22 runs, at an economy of 7.33. Getting in some dots would be vert crucial against RCB, who have some big hitters.
Plus there is a good match up against Virat Kohli. In the 34 balls to the Indian legend, Santner has given away only 41 runs. Out of those 11 have been dots. So, that would be a consideration as well.
No Trent Boult
Two matches for him have failed to produce a wicket. And that is not good enough at this level. Maybe Corbin Bosch would be a better option for the team. He too has nothing substantial against him name so far, but a move that the skipper might be tempted to make. In fact, the performance of Deepak Chahar could be under the scanner as well.
Instead, why not use someone like Ashwani Kumar, who last year took 11 wickets for MI. That could be a big surprise move.
Predicted MI XI vs RCB
Ryan Rickelton (wk), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (capt), Naman Dhir, Sherfane Rutherford, Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Ashwani Kumar, Corbin Bosch, Jasprit Bumrah.
Cricket
Shreyas Iyer breathing down Suryakumar Yadav's neck for India's No. 4 spot with another IPL masterclass
