Indian T20 League 2021 – Match 1 – Mumbai vs Bangalore – Preview and Winner Prediction
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The 14th edition of the Indian T20 League will kick off with defending champions, Mumbai taking on Virat Kohli’s Bangalore. The match will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai and is set to get underway at 7:30 PM local time.
The biggest challenge for the teams, at least for the first few games, will be getting used to the conditions. The sluggish wicket of Chennai is not the easiest to start. The last time Bangalore played here, they were bowled out for a paltry 70. However, they can be expected to perform better this time around as players like Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal and Glenn Maxwell have been in fine form of late. Other than the trio, AB de Villiers need no introduction as to what he can do with the bat. Daniel Christian, Washington Sundar and Kyle Jamieson add a lot of depth to the team. Over the years, a bleak bowling attack has been the cause of Bangalore’s misery but the ‘Team in Red’ has given a lot more thought this time around. While they have included the lanky Kyle Jamieson in their squad, the spin trio of Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar and Glenn Maxwell can be very handy in Chennai.
For Mumbai, the core of the team is pretty much the same that played the last season. In terms of batting quality, Mumbai is one of the best, if not the best in the tournament. While Rohit Sharma and Chris Lynn can be destructive at the top, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya form a very strong middle order. We all know what Kieron Pollard can do in the final overs. The batting is backed by a top-quality bowling attack in Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult and Nathan Coulter Nile. Rahul Chahar and Krunal Pandya should be the first choice spinners.
Pitch and Weather Report – The surface at MA Chidambaram Stadium is on the slower side and should offer some turn to the spinners. Chasing anything over 160 should be very difficult here. The humid conditions in Chennai can take a toll on the players.
Team News
Mumbai
Chris Lynn is expected to make his Mumbai debut as Quinton de Kock will miss the first game due to quarantine rules. Considering the conditions, Mumbai can also go in with three spinners, namely Rahul Chahar, Piyush Chawla and Krunal Pandya.
X-factor
Chris Lynn – In the absence of de Kock, Lynn is expected to make his Mumbai debut. While he hasn’t played much, he was in terrific form in the Big Bash League. He would certainly love to make the opportunity count. If he gets going, Bangalore bowlers will be in for a hard time.
Mumbai Probable XI: Chris Lynn, Rohit Sharma (C), Suryakuma Yadav, Ishan Kishan (WK), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult , Jasprit Bumrah.
Team News
Bangalore
Devdutt Padikkal, who was tested COVID -19 positive a few days ago, has returned a negative report and is likely to feature for Bangalore at the top. Other than him, Mohammed Azharuddeen may play as a specialist wicket-keeper.
X-Factor
Glenn Maxwell – While Maxwell can be devastating with the bat, the conditions in Chennai will give Virat Kohli an option to use him as a specialist bowler.
Bangalore Probable XI: Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (C), AB De Villiers, Mohammed Azharuddeen (WK), Glenn Maxwell, Dan Christian, Washington Sundar, Kyle Jamieson, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Match prediction – Both teams are batting heavy but Bangalore’s bowling looks slightly vulnerable. Jamieson has no experience of playing in these conditions while Saini and Siraj can leak runs. Chahal also hasn’t been in the best of form. We’d stick with Mumbai in this game.
Mumbai vs Bangalore Betting Odds
Mumbai are 1.61 to win on Betway while Bangalore can be backed at 2.30 at the same platform.
