Dubai: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) would be looking to address their pace-bowling concerns when they face defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in their third IPL game here Monday. So far MI has played two games winning one and losing the other. RCB also have the same success rate.
However, what is worrying for Kohli is his own form with the bat as he has managed just 14 and one in the two knocks he has played. Also his fast bowlers have not been able to deliver so far.
Opener Devdutt Padikkal, who started his IPL career with a classy half century, did not do much against KXIP and will be aiming for consistency. His partner Australian limited overs captain Aaron Finch would be hoping to convert starts into match-winning performances. AB de Villers, who has looked in god touch, will be expected to provide the late fireworks again with the lower-order not inspiring a lot of hope.
It is still not clear whether RCB will have the services of South African all-rounder Chris Morris, who sat out of the first two games due to a side strain.
Pacers Dale Steyn and Umesh Yadav have proved expensive so far. The South African great is likely to retain his place in the playing XI but the same can’t be said about Yadav, who could make way for Mohammad Siraj.
MI ticked all the boxes in their comfortable win against KKR. Hence they are unlikely to tinker with their team composition.
The biggest positive is that skipper Rohit Sharma is back among the runs and looked in ominous touch against KKR, and so did Suryakumar Yadav.
Another positive for the defending champions is that pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah roared back to form after a rare failure against Chennai Super Kings.
