MI beat RCB: Key learnings from the match
Former champions Mumbai Indians played smart cricket as they defeated Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore in match number 31 of the IPL 2019 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday. The win took Mumbai to the third spot on the table, while this was RCB's seventh loss of the season. Here are the key learnings from this high-octane clash.
How did the match pan out?
Winning the toss, Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma elected to bowl first, as AB de Villiers played a knock of 75. Moeen Ali too slammed a half-century, and RCB posted an above-par total of 171/7, while Malinga claimed 4/31. In reply, opener Quinton de Kock's knock of 40, followed by a blitz by Hardik Pandya helped Mumbai chase the total with six balls to spare.
Washington Sundar should get game time
Bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar has been one of the promising talents for India. However, he is yet to play a game this season. With RCB's fate hanging in balance and their qualification chances looking bleak, it is high time Kohli gives Sundar a chance to prove his worth. With an economy of 7.54 in 18 matches, he is worth a shot.
Parthiv Patel hardly gets past 30
RCB's wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel is known to be a fine opener. However, in most of the cases, he doesn't score more than 30. With an average of 22.4 in 133 matches, he has managed just 12 half-centuries. Thus, this proves his struggle at going past 30. Since they don't have a back-up opener, RCB continue to rely on him and give him chances.
Kohli should give Marcus Stoinis a chance as opener
As Parthiv continues to struggle and make an impact as an opener for the side, Kohli could make one bold move by letting Marcus Stoinis open. He did shine as an opener this season in the Big Bash League (BBL). Having scored 533 runs in 13 matches at an average of 53.30 and a strike-rate of 130.63, including four half-centuries, he's worth a shot.
ABD's love story with Wankhede continues
AB de Villiers is one of the prolific strikers of the ball the game has ever seen. He has also been RCB's million-dollar man on several occasions. However, stats prove that he has a special love story with Wankhede, even on international duty. In seven IPL matches here, he has scored 199 runs at an average of 39.80, which includes a century.
