Mumbai Indians vs Bangalore Royal Challengers: Preview and Live Score

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Mumbai Indians vs Bangalore Royal Challengers: Live Score and Updates

Mumbai Indians and Bangalore Royal Challengers are going to face each other tomorrow in a group stage match of Indian Premier League 2008. This is going to be the first match of Mumbai Indians and fortunately, Mumbai Indians will take on Bangalore Royal Challengers at home in their first match. Mumbai Indians vs Bangalore Royal Challengers match takes place at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai and the match starts at 20:00 local (14:30 GMT).

It is a match between two of the most important cities of India. Cricket fans of both cities would have some emotion around the match. As this is the first match of Mumbai Indians, players, team officials and fans of Mumbai team will try to win the match in order to start the tournament with a victory. On the other hand, for Bangalore Royal Challengers, the victory in the match is badly needed after their disastrous first match performance. Bangalore Royal Challengers suffered a 140-run defeat against Kolkata Royal Challengers in the opening match of Indian Premier League 2008. Only a victory can restore their confidence following the first match humiliation. So, you can see that both Mumbai Indians and Bangalore Royal Challengers are now gearing up to win the match tomorrow.

For Bangalore Royal Challengers, the first match brought only disappointment as they failed to perform in every department. Their bowlers conceded 222 runs taking only 3 Kolkata wickets, while the batting was worse. Among the Bangalore batsmen, only Praveen Kumar could reach the double figure as they got all out at 82 runs. Now, it would be difficult for Captain Rahul Dravid to pick up anything inspirational from the first match. However, the fact is that even the opponent teams will have to admit that Bangalore Royal Challengers has some world class players both in batting and bowling. However, Captain Rahul Dravid said that they would come back strongly as there were 13 matches remaining in the tournament for Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Dnaindia reported:

"We will come back strongly. There are 13 more (league) matches to be played," the former India skipper said ahead of Sunday night's battle here against Mumbai Indians, led by Sachin Tendulkar.

"Shiv would strengthen the team. We have some injury concerns. We would take a call on Noffke's groin injury tomorrow," he said.

Dravid, asked about their rivals for Sunday's match, said he was not concerned about individuals.

"They are a strong side".

As for batting, Bangalore has batsmen like Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, Rahul Dravid, Cameron White, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ross Taylor, Misbah-ul-Haq. However, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Misbah-ul-Haq did not play in the first match of Bangalore Royal Challengers and I am not sure if they will take part in the match against Mumbai Indians. I think, New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor might be given a chance in the starting line up tomorrow. Kallis is perhaps the best all rounder of today’s cricket. So, Bangalore Royal Challengers can expect something special from this South African in both batting and bowling.

The bowling attack of Bangalore Royal Challengers includes Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble, Nathan Bracken, Dale Steyn, Praveen Kumar, Bangladeshi left arm bowler Abdur Razzak and Ashley Noffke. However, Dale Steyn and Dale Steyn are not currently available for Bangalore Royal Challengers as Steyn is busy with playing domestic cricket, while Bracken is injured. No doubt, their absence lessen the strength of their pace attack. Still, I think, it is a balanced side. Kumble missed the first match due to his groin injury. However, he is still not confirmed for the match against Mumbai Indians. Sunil Joshi played as the only specialist spinner in the opening match who did not make any impact in the match. I think, some changes will be made in the bowling line up of Bangalore Royal Challengers in the match against Mumbai Indians. However, the absence of few bowlers is now the major concerns of Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Mumbai Indians includes some high profile players in its squad. Captained by Sachin Tendulkar, Mumbai Indians batting line up includes hard hitter Sri Lankan great Sanath Jayasuriya, Ashwell Prince, Robin Uthappa, Loots Bosman. All of them are well known for their big hits. All rounder Shaun Pollock can also contribute cameo innings in the lower middle order. Luke Ronchi is expected to keep the wicket for Mumbai Indians. Hampshire all rounder Dominic Thornely can serve well if he is given a chance. All rounder Dwayne Bravo is also in form at this moment. However, the biggest worry for Mumbai Indians is that captain Sachin Tendulkar is not confirmed for the match as he is not yet fit enough to take it on the field.

Hindustantimes reported:

"We have to wait and see how I feel tomorrow. If I am ready I will play," Tendulkar said on Saturday on the eve of the match.

If he was unable to play then vice captain Harbhajan Singh would lead the team and would have his ears open for inputs from two other international captains in the team - Sanath Jayasuriya and Shaun Pollock, the master batsman said.

"Both I and Harbhajan, who would lead the team if I am unable to play, will be open to ideas. That's the way it should be," he said.

The pace attack of Mumbai Indians is led by Shaun Pollock along with Dilhara Fernando. As Lasith Malinga has been ruled out of Indian Premier League this season due to his knee injury, it will definitely lessen their pace attack. Indian pacer Ashish Nehra along with some local talented pacers can play a big part for Mumbai Indians. Their spin attack will be spearheaded by Harbhajan Singh. He can get some necessary help from Sanath Jayasuria’s left arm spin. Overall, Mumbai Indians also has a balanced bowling attack.

Now, the question comes here is that who are going to win the match. To be honest, it is a big question and a very hard to answer. Taking Bangalore’s first match performance into account, it can be very easy to say that Mumbai Indians are the favorite in the match, but I am definitely not going to do this, considering the fact that Bangalore has some world class players, besides some talented young players. What I want to say that I am eagerly waiting for the match to experience a thrilling match at the Wankhede Stadium and I hope both teams will live up to the expectation showing their skill, talent and guile.

I know that many of you would not be able to watch the match live in television, even though the match will be telecast in almost every part of the world, because of you personal and professional works. That is why, here I am giving some links of the online live score sites from where you can get the online live score and updates of the match: