Royal Challengers Bangalore v Mumbai Indians: Jeckyll & Hyde RCB face tough Mumbai task

Royal Challengers Bangalore v Mumbai Indians
Thursday Mar 28, 14:30
Live on BT Sport and Star Gold (Sky channel 729)

Bangalore know how to blow it

The problem with betting on Royal Challengers Bangalore games is that you never know which RCB will turn up. On their day they can be explosive. When it goes wrong, as it did in their seven-wicket defeat to Chennai Super Kings on the opening day of IPL2019, it goes badly awry. Virat Kohli is undoubtedly a tremendous cricketer, but I have never been convinced of his tactical skills as a captain. It's appears a lot tougher to get RCB to gel than Team India.

That said, the worry would be in backing against the IPL's glamorous underachievers. Kohli is currently the best batsman in the world and can win games on his own. The incredible 360-degree talents of AB de Villiers are also tough to side against. RCB can only become consistent if others contribute regularly and that is likely to be their problem as the tournament progresses. On a one-off match however, they scare me. Just as you write them off they are likely burn your betting fingers.

Youth and experience a winning blend

Mumbai Indians always seem to come out of the blocks slowly. Tournaments are not won in the first few rounds and Mumbai tend to work on the strategy of finishing strongly and creeping into the play-offs with momentum.

In Mahela Jayawardene they have a level-headed coach. And, in captain Rohit Sharma, Mumbai have one of the best skippers in the competition. That, and their proven pedigree, make them my pick to win IPL 2019, despite their opening defeat to the Delhi Capitals.

If you have seen the Netflix documentary on the Indians' campaign last season you will recognise the tremendous passion within the Mumbai franchise and the incredible financial clout of the Ambani family owners. They have collected some serious young talent with Ishan Kishan and the Pandya brothers. With Yuvraj Singh and Jasprit Bumrah they have some proven experience. It should be a winning blend.

Mumbai have the edge

Despite the worry that Kohli and de Villiers could flip the form book, Mumbai Indians have enjoyed plenty of success against RCB. Overall, these two sides have met 25 times with Mumbai winning 16 of those games. At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which has often seen high scoring encounters, the Indians have won seven of the nine games played. I could understand anyone ducking this market at this stage of the season, but I'm taking Mumbai to win at [2.0].

Easy to think it's the Kohli and AB show

Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers are two of the finest batsmen of this generation, but in the IPL this season it may pay to find bigger RCB odds elsewhere. Kohli at 11/5 will take this market a number of times this season - it's what he does, but it's an incredibly short price. de Villiers is 7/2, but I'm going to defy their ridiculous pedigree and play half-stakes on two talented up-and-comers for the betting value.

Shimron Hetmyer at 7/1 is a precocious young player. He featured in the first game and fell cheaply, but at this stage in proceedings there is little form to go on and he's worth a punt. Equally, England's Moeen Ali, who seems locked into RCB's top three, is 9/2 and has every chance. Moeen has the ability to keep a level head in pressurised situations, which could see him steal a bit of RCB thunder.

Suryakumar Yadav is over-priced

I cannot argue with captain Rohit Sharma being 13/5 favourite in this market but, on last season's evidence, he has a tendency to blow hot and cold. The consistent performer, and Mumbai's highest scorer last year, was the prodigiously talented Suryakumar Yadav. Despite being dropped a place in the order to make way for Quinto de Kock, there is no way Yadav should be fifth in this market. He was run out cheaply in the first match, but remains my tip to be the tournament's top scorer, and he will take my stake in this market during the early rounds of fixtures. At 4/1 he is outstanding value.

All-round value in Man of the Match markets

There are three all-rounders in this match who have the potential to make a difference with both bat and ball. That is often quite a useful trait in taking the Man of the Match award!

Moeen Ali is batting at the top of the order and if he contributes with bat and takes a few wickets, he's a sumptuous 16/1. And Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya are the Mumbai Indians poster boys and don't have to do too much to raise excitement levels. At 12/1 and 16/1 they have a great chance too.

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*Follow James on Twitter @cricket_badger