RCB vs MI tip-off XI: Archer set for his Mumbai debut, Suryakumar eyes form, Green to add fuel

Here are a few key tips-off ahead of today’s high-octane encounter.

Jofra Archer set to return.

Mumbai Indians’ dream of Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer bowling in tandem will have to wait another season to become a reality. But they will have Jofra Archer and on the eve of the match MI coach Mark Boucher has said that the speedster is fit to play. He said: “Jof (Jofra Archer) is good. He is a 100 per cent for tomorrow. He didn’t train today. We had a couple of optional training sessions. He felt was ready to put out some sparks tomorrow. We are happy about the progress he has made since the last few days he has been with us. So yeah, he might probably being playing tomorrow.” Archer, who has ealier, represented Rajasthan Royals in the IPL has bagged 46 wickets in 35 matches with an impressive economy rate of 7.13.

🏏 Training + 🎂 Jofra's birthday + 🎙️ Pre-match PC = Aaj ka #MIDaily 💙

Head to 👉 https://t.co/OCCr0lFA5o or the MI App to watch the full video 📽️#OneFamily #MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians #IPL2023 #TATAIPL MI TV pic.twitter.com/2gFavRoWKC

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 2, 2023

SKY in search of form

Suryakumar Yadav is probably going through one his worst phase since bursting into the scene. Suryakumar Yadav, India’s T20 sensation in the year gone by, had just fallen for a golden duck for a third consecutive ODI in a row against Australia recently. All three of his dismissals came without him connecting the bat to the ball in the entire series which India lost 2-1. Surya in an unwanted tally of Indian batters who have been dismissed on golden ducks for three ODIs in a row, also including Sachin Tendulkar (1994), Anil Kumble (1996), Zaheer Khan (2003-04), Ishant Sharma (2010-11), Jasprit Bumrah (2017-2019). Surya would be itching to get back among some runs in his favourite format.

Surya Dada full तयारीत! 💪💙#OneFamily #MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians #IPL2023 #TATAIPL @surya_14kumar MI TV pic.twitter.com/qecs6pIhZH

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 31, 2023

Green to make his IPL debut

Cameron Green is set to make his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians. The 23-year-old is the most expensive Australian cricketer in IPL history. MI roped him in for Rs 17.5 crores. “I’m pinching myself that this has all happened,” Green had said after the auction. He added: I’ve always been a huge fan of the IPL, and it’s going to be so cool to be a part of it. The Mumbai Indians are one of the competition’s powerhouses, so I feel very humbled to be joining them.”

⚠️ 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 ⚠️#OneFamily #MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians #TATAIPL #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/wR8Vnd3FZo

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 1, 2023

Injury hit RCB

It would be interesting to see how RCB will cope without players like Rajat Patidar and Josh Hazlewood, who both have been sidelined for at least the first half of this IPL due to injuries. England’s Will Jacks will miss the full season. Patidar was RCB’s third-highest-scorer last year with 333 runs. He hit the fastest century by an Indian in IPL in the Qualifier 1. On the other hand, Australia’s Hazlewood was the team’s second most successful bowler with 20 wickets in 20 matches. RCB will also have to wait for their Sri Lankan spin ace Wanindu Hasaranga, who is in New Zealand on national duty. He will miss a few opening games.

It's been a long time coming, but the wait is over! 🤩

Here's a refresher on some records at Namma Chinnaswamy to get you in the mood for our HOMECOMING! 🏟️#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/4S4CAvTEGk

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) April 2, 2023

Venue Stats

The pitch at M Chinnaswamy Stadium has been known as a belter in the past. The average all-time first-innings average is 169. Since 2018 it has been 181. A score of 192 is the average winning score.

RCB XI: Faf Du Plessis, Anuj Rawat, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik, Shahbaz Ahmed, Michael Bracewell, David Willey, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj

Impact player – Akash Deep

MI XI: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Cameron Green, Ramandeep Singh, Jofra Archer, Hrithik Shokeen, Sandeep Warrier, Jason Behrendorff

Impact player – Piyush Chawla