Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore share the common fate of so-near-yet-so-far. Both have been one of the most popular teams, even by performance. Both have reached the final and semifinals. RCB is almost on the door of knockouts with 6 wins after completing their first half matches, while MI in thier 8th match is looking good to reach the semifinals of 2013 with the revenge against RCB at home.
Both the teams may find their place in the top four almost guaranteed. RCB will make sure that unlike 2012 they do not falter again by weird Net Run Rate calculation. Both know while playing against each other they are contesting almost-guaranteed semifinal opponent. Without doubt both will want to pull each other down in an effort to reduce a highly competitive opponent in the knock outs well in advance.
Head-to-Head Record: MI 6, RCB 6
Both the teams have played 12 matches against each other including the semifinal of two editions. In every edition they have won and lost one each except 2010 when they played thrice and MI also won in semifinal. In 2013 RCB has won the close first match.
Past Results
2008
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RCB def MI by 5 Wickets
MI def RCB by 9 Wickets
2009
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RCB def MI by 9 Wickets
MI def RCB by 16 Runs
2010
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RCB def MI by 7 Wickets
MI def RCB by 57 Runs
MI def RCB by 35 Runs (1st semifinal)
2011
2012
- RCB def MI by 9 wkts
MI def RCB by 5 wkts
2013
- RCB won by 2 runs, MOM: Gayle
Overall Performances
With 47 wins and 36 losses (1 no result) MI is the second best team of IPL after CSK in terms of performance. In addition they have also won the CLT20 once. RCB has cleared its backlog of more losses from first three editions and halfway to the 6th edition they have got the boost in winning rate with 45 wins and 40 losses (2 No result). RCBs best in CLT20 is finishing of Runners up once.
RCBs Match Results in 2013
MIs Match Results in 2013
RCB has reached the final twice (2009 and 2011), MI has reached the final once (2010). Both have reached the semifinal thrice – RCB from 2009-11, MI from 2010-12.
Key Contests
Gayle vs Pollard
In the last match Gayle had the Match winning knock while Pollard got only 2 balls to face in the chase. Hopefully Mumbai Indians captain have some better plan for him to give more opportunity. This is the key contest that may decide the fate of the match. Both have made their presence felt in IPL, so much so that their performances have taken their teams to the finals and their failures have been the factor in their teams going down. Both are World Class T20 players and viewers would want both to succeed. The one who fails is certain to take his team’s chances down.
Gayle vs Malinga
Gayle vs Malinga has been mostly in favor of the most destructive bowler of IPL so far, where in Gayle has never hit a six against Malinga and instead managed only 36 runs on 39 balls he has faced of Malinga.
Verdict
RCBs team has men in form. Dilshan and AB de Villiers are joining after winning Player of the Series awards in their international series at home. Gayle, Kohli are always a threat. Even Indian bowlers Vinay Kumar and RP Singh are one of the leading wicket takers of the tournament. Winning 6 games at home have obviously made them look very strong team, but playing away has its own challenges, and when a team like Mumbai Indians can control their match winner Gayle, it will be further tough for them.
RCBS Team Performance in 2013
MIs Team Performance in 2013
Mumbai Indians on the other hand have a strong batting line up, while their middle order is the most threatening, even the opening pair has got some substance with Smith’s match winning knock and Tendulkar’s half-century. At home while their batting can excel more it will be their bowling led by Malinga and controlled by Harbhajan at middle that can be their winning factor for today when they are seeking revenge of the loss against RCB.
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