Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Tips - Sharma backed for runs in IPL opener

Rohit Sharma is a very consistent performer of India and the Mumbai Indians. He has shown some form on the international stage recently so my best bet is for him to get past the 24.5 run mark.

Mumbai Indians have won three of their last five matches against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Last season they won a match each with Mumbai winning the last one by five wickets in the final over.

The Mumbai Indians are the most successful Indian Premier League side having won the title on five separate occasions. In fact, they have won it in five of the last eight years.

They go into the 2021 IPL as heavy favourites to win it for a third successive year. Last season the Mumbai-based outfit won nine of their 14 matches to top the table. In the final they defeated the Delhi Capitals by five wickets.

Ishan Kishan was the top Mumbai Indian run scorer in 2020 with 516 runs at an average over 57.33. Suryakumar Yadav and Quinton de Kock were the other two Mumbai batsmen to finish within the top 10 run scorers of 2020.

The Mumbai Indians will once again be led by Rohit Sharma. They have a incredibly well balanced side with quality all rounders in Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard and James Neesham.

New Zealand’s Adam Milne and Trent Boult offer superb back-up to one of the world’s finest bowlers in Jasprit Bumrah. Chris Lynn will probably not feature in the best side but he can be explosive at the top of the innings.

Royal Challengers Bangalore have been the biggest disappointment of the IPL era. They have never won the title despite often, on paper, having a mighty fine side.

Last season saw the Royal Challengers finish fourth after losing four of their last five matches. Up until that point it looked like they may eventually challenge for the title.

Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers all finished in the top 10 run scorers of 2020 but failed to take their side all the way.

It is difficult to look past AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli when staring at the RCB squad. They are two of the best batsmen in the world but have constantly failed to take their side all the way.

That has as much to do with players around them disappointing though. This season the explosive Glenn Maxwell has been added to the Royal Challengers ranks, which could prove a masterful move by the owners.

New Zealand’s young sensation, Kyle Jamieson has also been added to the squad while the experience of Dan Christian will be useful throughout.