IPL 2023, RCB vs MI: Injury-hit Bangalore up against rejuvenated Mumbai

Royal Challengers Bangalore will be fretting over the availability of key foreign players when Faf du Plessis' men take on Mumbai Indians at their home ground in Bengaluru.

While Josh Hazlewood is still to arrive in India for the cash-rich league, Glenn Maxwell is still not fully fit. But the loyal RCB fans would be hoping to see their star batter Virat Kohli roaring at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Mumbai, on the other hand, will look to forget their horror run last season despite not having their lynchpin Jasprit Bumrah in their ranks. However, fit-again English pacer Jofra Archer will certainly boost MI's bowling department along with new foreign buy Jason Behrendorff.

Also read: IPL 2023, SRH vs RR preview: Get ready for Rajasthan batters vs Hyderabad bowlers battle

But the big attraction in Mumbai camp would be the new batting line-up which has the likes of hard-hitting batters Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Tim David and Dewald Brevis.

RCB vs MI head-to-head

In a head-to-head comparison, Mumbai have an upper hand over Bangalore, winning 17 out of 30 matches.

Bangalore weather update

There is no chance of rain in Bangalore on matchday.

Team news

Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood is expected to miss the first half of IPL 2023.

Glenn Maxwell is doubtful for RCB's opening game as he is yet to fully regain strength post-leg fracture.

RCB vs MI Playing XI probables

RCB possible Playing XI: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Suyash Prabhudessai, Mahipal Lomror, Michael Bracewell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Reece Topley, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, and Karn Sharma.

MI possible Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan, Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Hrithik Shokeen, Kumar Kartikeya, Jofra Archer, Arshad Khan, and Jason Behrendorff.