For lack of an effective superfast at the very start of the bowling, Royal Challengers Bangalore are suffering from a breakthrough crisis. With Chahal to continue in middle overs to control acceleration, Virat Kohli was badly in need of someone to handle the powerplay. Washington Sundar was given the charge in the powerplay and a beautiful spell made Mumbai stumble on their way to a long chase. Reading the looseness in the bowling unit, Mumbai were all set to target in the last five. Rich in captains, RCB won over Mumbai Indians with a super over game-plan. In my last article KKR vs RR Match Preview, I termed the game ‘unpredicted’. RR won two consecutive games and to fight KKR, they needed a separate strategy. As they went with the same plan, same playing XI, they could not make it home.

Both the teams have played three matches and lost 2 points each. Now it’s time to have some indoor exercises. We expect a good game of cricket today.

It’s their fourth match. So Rajasthan must find out a perfect opening pair. Someone like Sanju Samson or Jaiswal may join hands with Buttler to ensure early attack. Tom Curran is the only overseas player who can be replaced by someone other like David Miller to strengthen the middle order or Andrew Tye to balance pace attack. The management must think about Robin Uthappa…. whether he will continue in the middle order or be moved up to No. 3 or he will be replaced by someone from the reserve bench. Tewatia and Gopal can bat in the middle.

Royal Challengers Bangalore have got a perfect opening with Finch and Padikkal to start. In the middle, AB de Villiers and Dube are also playing well. Though RCB won the last game, we can expect a change in the lower middle order. At No. 6 or at No. 7 they may select Moeen Ali from the bench.

Both RR and RCB have almost the same problem with bowling. Jofra Archer appeared as one man army, as he is having no support from the others. No Ben Stokes was a problem for Rajasthan and it’s getting bigger. RR’s spinners also didn’t deliver anything promising. Mayank Markandey must get a chance, having dropped either Unadkat or Rajput. They have to bowl against Finch, Kohli, and AB De Villiers and anything short of target will disappear.

Steyn and Umesh Yadav failed to make a mark in UAE and then Udana got included and went for runs. I think, today, Udan will make playing XI and Adam Zampa has to leave his place for Moeen Ali. Against Buttler, Washington Sundar can take the new ball with a deep square leg or a deep fine leg.

The less we discuss about the ground and the wicket, the better it is. It’s still not working as it’s assessed. Last evening, Sunrisers Hyderabad, at Dubai, won the toss and won the game batting first. At Abu Dhabi, the team winning the toss may bat first, as there is no chance of dew. It’ll be under the sun.