Indian Premier League 2016, Match 41: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians — As it happened...

Mumbai middle-order batsmen Kieron Pollard and Jos Buttler played explosive innings to knock out Bangalore.

Defending champions Mumbai Indians produced a power-packed performance with both the bat and ball to climb back into top four of Indian Premier League table with a convincing six-wicket win over hosts Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday.

After winning the toss at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bangalore, Rohit Sharma asked the home team to bat first on an uncharacteristically bowler friendly top.

And, soon Bangalore found themselves losing both the openers — mercurial Virat Kohli and returning Chris Gayle. Their early departures provided a chance to star-studded middle order, but it was unheralded Indian domestic batsmen who helped the total to a respectable one.

Lokesh Rahul was brilliant in his 53-ball knock for unbeaten 68 runs. The wicket-keeper batsman, along with Sachin Baby (25 off 13) helped Bangalore crossed the 150-run mark.

A 23-run Pollard over could have proved the difference, but the big West Indian returned with the bat to redeem himself. Pollard's 35 off 19 balls was typical of his hurricane innings. 

He received perfect companion in Buttler, who hit 29 off 11 balls.

For Bangalore, a total of 151 was never going to be enough. And despite good efforts from leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and paceman Sreenath Aravind, RCB were undone by their own batting inconsistency.

The result meant that Bangalore will need to win all their remaining matches to keep a realistic chance to make the play-offs.

For Mumbai, it's good win which came with two points. And are fourth, with a difference of two points from leaders Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Lions.

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MUMBAI INDIANS INNINGS; TARGET 152

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Over 18.4 || Score 153/4 (K Pollard 35; J Buttler 29)

Varun Aaron given the huge responsibility of bowling the penultimate over after two huge overs.

A single to Kieron Pollard, then a wide.

A dot ball followed, then a no ball wicket. It was over waistline, and catch taken at deep mid-wicket. Free Hit.

And a single from the free-hit.

Then, Jos Buttler carted the fourth ball of the over for a huge  six over cow corner. Another full toss, same result.

Match over! Mumbai Indians won by six wickets with eight ball remaining in the match.

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Over 18 || Score 142/4 (K Pollard 33; J Buttler 22)

Chris Jordan returned for his third over, and on strike is his England team-mate Jos Buttler. A single to start the over.

Three more singles, then Jordan did what had been doing all night — sending down loose, low full tosses, while trying yorkers.

A six off the fifth ball over the bowler's head, then another six, this time over midwicket, with the ball hitting the rope.

16 runs from the over, and the equation: 10 runs required from 12 balls.

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Over 17 || Score 126/4 (K Pollard 31; J Buttler 8)

Shane Watson returned for third over, and up against him — Kieron Pollard.

A slower bouncer, and was ruled wide for the height. It was followed by a six over long-off. That was six number 400 for Pollard in Twenty20, only behind West Indian team-mate Chris Gayle's 638.

Two singles, then a lucky four behind behind the wicket. Four more as Watson released a full toss, which needed only a roll of wrist towards square leg.

A wide, then a dot ball to end the 18-run over.

Pollard, who conceded 23 runs in his sole over today in Bangalore's innings, would be happy to score these runs off his nemesis.

EQUATION: 26 runs required from 18 balls.

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Over 16 || Score 108/4 (K Pollard 14; J Buttler 7)

A wide to resumed the proceedings in Bangalore. Then a brilliant catch from AB de Villiers to end Ambati Rayudu's innings. The South African, on the run, completed the catch and the celebration at a go, picking the ball just above the ground then rolling over his body in preparation for a fabulous catch.

WICKET: Ambati Rayudu c AB de Villiers b Varun Aaron 44 (47b)

The happened off the first legal delivery of Varun Aaron's third over. He started it with a wide.

A single to Kieron Pollard, then the new man Jos Buttler joined the chased with a single, then hitting a four off the fifth ball.

A chancy double of the last ball, and 11 runs from the over.

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Over 15 || Score 97/3 (A Rayudu 44; K Pollard 14)

Needing just under 12 an over, Kieron Pollard arrived with a licence to swing. And the West Indian, who had a history with Shane Watson, started the 15th over with a flat six over long on.

A wide followed, then a four through cover. No running required for that screamer of a ground stroke.

The Aussie veteran responded with a dot ball, then a single.

A single, then a swing a miss to end the over. 13 runs from the over.

TIME-OUT.

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Over 14 || Score 84/3 (A Rayudu 43; K Pollard 3)

Sreenath Aravind also completed his spell, for figures of 4-0-23-1.

Five singles from his last over.

Mumbai Indians need another 68 runs from 36 balls.

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Over 13 || Score 79/3 (A Rayudu 41)

One big over for the fielding side, as Yuzvendra Chahal continued to restrict the flow of runs in Bangalore. Bowling his last over, the leg spinner started with a tossed up delivery, which almost got rid of Ambati Rayudu. But Chrisd Gayle at short third man failed to make ground, and it went begging.

Two dot balls, and a single even as the fourth ball required a referral to check if Rayudu had made the ground. Not out, then a good fielding at deep extra cover restricted a well times cover drive to a double.

Then, Nitish Rana lofted the last ball of the over, and a brilliant tumbling, rolling catch by Stuart Binny at cover boundary meant the end for the debutant.

WICKET: Nitish Rana c Stuart Binny b Yuzvendra Chahal 9 (11b)

Magnificent catch.

Chahal's figures: 4-0-16-1.

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Over 12 || Score 76/2 (A Rayudu 40; N Rana 7)

Varun Aaron continued for his second over, and was taken for 13 runs.

The over started with a six, a huge one down the ground, deep into the second tier. A single, then two dot balls.

Then Nitish Rana showed his hitting power, another huge one over third man.

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Over 11 || Score 63/2 (A Rayudu 33; N Rana 1)

Another brilliant over from Yuzvendra Chahal. Three runs from the over. His figures so far: 3-0-13-0.

Mumbai Indians need another 89 runs from 54 balls.

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Over 10 || Score 60/2 (A Rayudu 30; N Rana 0)

First over, third ball and the wicket of Rohit Sharma. That's how Varun Aaron started his spell.

After two singles, Sharma lofted and found AB de Villiers waiting to complete the catch at long-on.

WICKET: Rohit Sharma c AB de Villiers b Varun Aaron 25 (24b)

That brought debutant Nitish Rana in the centre. He was welcomed with a well directed bouncer by the Indian fast bowler.

Two runs and a wicket from the over.

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Over 9 || Score 58/1 (R Sharma 24; A Rayudu 30)

Single off each delivery of the over, and six more runs added to Mumbai Indians' total.

Leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal did well to control the flow of run, but Bangalore need wickets.

Mumbai in top now.

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Over 8 || Score 52/1 (R Sharma 21; A Rayudu 27)

Chris Jordan returned for his second over, and was punished for fullish wide delivery with a four through extra cover. It was followed by a front foot no-ball. Free hit to Sharma.

But the Mumbai Indians skipper failed to capitalise on the low full toss, settling for a single.

A single followed, that a dot ball. A single, then a dot ball as Jordan fielded well off his own bowling.

Nine runs from the over. Also fifty-run stand between Sharma and Rayudu.

Mumbai Indians need another 100 runs from 12 overs.

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Over 7 || Score 43/1 (R Sharma 15; A Rayudu 25)

Bowling change for Bangalore, and Yuzvendra Chahal conceded four singles in his first over.

Mumbai Indians need another 109 runs from 13 overs.

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Over 6 || Score 39/1 (R Sharma 13; A Rayudu 23)

Sreenath Aravind continued with his third over. A dot ball to Ambati Rayudu, then a six. Rayudu came down and picked the ball just outside the off stump, and it sailed over mid-off boundary. Good use of the feet.

A single, followed by another quick single. A dot ball, then Rayudu kept the strike with another single. Nine runs from the over.

TIME-OUT.

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Over 5 || Score 30/1 (R Sharma 12; A Rayudu 15)

Shane Watson, who is the only Bangalore bowler to have maintained a economy rate under 8, on for the fifth over. And the Aussie veteran started his spell with a beauty. After pitching on the off stump, the ball moved away leaving Ambati Rayudu confused.

Another dot ball, then Rayudu picked a shorter delivery to play a pull shot for a four. Two chasing fielders fielders was beaten by the ball at mid-on boundary.

It was followed by a double, as Rayudu played towards square leg. A single to end the over. Seven runs from the over.

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Over 4 || Score 23/1 (R Sharma 12; A Rayudu 8)

Sreenath Aravind continued for his second over. Three dot balls  to Ambati Rayudu, then a classic straight drive followed. Rayudu leant onto it and down the ground, for a four to long-off.

It was followed by a good looking drive, but AB de Villiers fielded well — throwing his body — to stop the ball. Two runs, nonetheless.

A single to end the seven-run over.

Mumbai Indians need another 129 runs from 16 overs.

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Over 3 || Score 16/1 (R Sharma 12; A Rayudu 1)

Chris Jordan on and a double to Rohit Sharma to start the spell. The Mumbai skipper played a control pull shot towards square leg, and returned back comfortably for a 2.

 A dot ball, then Sharma played an outrageously stunning shot which pierced point and cover point for a four. And the bowler is left dumbfounded.

A wide, then a lofted shot, which went for a four with one bounce to deep square leg boundary.

Another wide, the two dot balls to end the 12-run over.

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Over 2 || Score 4/1 (R Sharma 2; A Rayudu 1)

Just like in the first innings, wicket off the first ball of the second over. Sreenath Aravind removed Parthiv Patel, caught at first slip, catch taken by Shane Watson.

WICKET: Parthiv Patel c Shane Watson b Sreenath Aravind 1 (2b)

Ambati Rayudu is in at No. 3 for Mumbai Indians.

Good over from the 32-year-old medium pacer. Two singles and a wicket.

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Over 1 || Score 2/0 (R Sharma 1; P Patel 1)

Stuart Binny resumed the match after the innings break. A dot ball Rohit Sharma, who played the gentle loosner towards point.

Sharma opened the Mumbai account with a single. Then, Parthiv Patel took a single off the first ball he faced. A pitched up delivery followed, and Sharma played it straight to the fielder at cover.

Another dot ball, as Binny managed to move away the ball from the right handed batsman at a leisurely pace.

Two singles from the over.

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Tony Cozier the legendary West Indies Cricket writer and commentary died this morning in Barbados. May he RIP. pic.twitter.com/3k2vnCirgu — westindies (@westindies) May 11, 2016

Meanwhile, the passing away of Tony Cozier — one of the most recognizable voices in cricket — has shocked cricket world. The celebrated West Indian commentator was 75. RIP!

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After the big names failed to deliver, two youngsters in Lokesh Rahul and Sachin Baby produced a 53-run fifth-wicket stand to help Bangalore post a respectable total against Mumbai on a difficult, uncharacteristically bowler friendly top at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

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ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE INNINGS

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Over 20 || Score 151/4 (L Rahul 68; S Baby 25)

Mitchell McClenaghan of for the last over of the innings. A leg bye, then a single to Sachin Baby.

Then a beautifully crafted shot by Lokesh Rahul, for a six, crashing into the  fine leg board. A wide, then a single. Another single as Baby wanted tried a paddle sweep which was fielded at short third man.

Last ball to Rahul, and Bangalore crossed the 150-run mark with a double.

13 runs from the over, and McClenaghan's figures: 4-0-35-1. He is the new owner of Purple Cap.

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Over 19 || Score 138/4 (L Rahul 60; S Baby 23)

Jasprit Bumrah on for his last over. The penultimate over leaked seven runs, and most importantly there was not a single boundary from the over.

Brilliant effort from 22-year-old. His figures: 4-0-28-0.

However, in the last five overs Bangalore have score 62 runs losing a wicket, at the rate of 12.40.

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Over 18 || Score 131/4 (L Rahul 57; S Baby 21)

One huge over for Bangalore as Rohit Sharma's gamble to introduce Kieron Pollard backfired.

A six to Lokesh Rahul, over square leg boundary, to start the over. A leg bye, the a dot ball to Sachin Baby.

Then two back-to-back sixes as Baby creamed the West Indies all-rounder.

The over ended with a four, adding 23 runs from it.

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Over 17 || Score 108/4 (L Rahul 51; S Baby 5)

Tim Southee completed his spell, for figures of 4-0-27-1. The last over leaked seven runs, which included a four four to Sachin Baby, off the second ball.

A single off the first ball, to Lokesh Rahul, and the 24-year-old wicket-keeper batsman reached his fifty.

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Over 16 || Score 101/4 (L Rahul 49; S Baby 0)

What an over. A dot to Lokesh Rahul to start Japrit Bumrah's third over, then a 104 metre-long six over long-on. Deep into the stands.

Then a direct hit from Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma from extra cover, and Watson walked back.

WICKET: Shane Watson run out 15 (14b)

Sachin Baby is in at no. 6, ahead of Stuart Binny. 10 runs and a wicket from the over.

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Over 15 || Score 91/3 (L Rahul 45; S Watson 9)

A dot ball to start Mitchell McClenaghan's third over. Lokesh Rahul then found a thick top edge, which went for a four behind square leg.

A slow bouncer, and Rahul was taken by surprise losing his footing. A dot ball as the ball hit the gloves from an evasive action. The batsman found himself floored.

Rahul responded the fall with a mighty hit, a six over the bowler's head. Then a four, this time, thanks to a pull shot through square leg.

A single to end the 15-run over.

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Over 14 || Score 76/3 (L Rahul 30; S Watson 9)

Show of intent from Shane Watson, but the ball is not coming. The swings, the heaves have limited affect.

A single to start the over as Lokesh Rahul picked the ball from middle stump, and ran down square leg.

Then a lofted straight drive from Watson, just managed to beat Kieron Pollard at long-on. A single followed even as Watson tried to pull the short ball, but with result.

Two dot balls, then a single to end the seven-run over.

Tim Southee, so far, conceded 20 runs from his three overs and took  a wicket.

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Over 13 || Score 69/3 (L Rahul 28; S Watson 4)

Krunal Pandya on for his last over, and three singles from it. His figures: 4-0-15-1. Brilliant.

In the last five overs, Bangalore have scored 32 runs at the expense of AB de Villiers wicket.

TIME-OUT.

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Over 12 || Score 66/3 (L Rahul 26; S Watson 3)

Harbhajan Singh continued for his third over. A dot ball Shane Watson, them a single. Another single followed, then while completing that run Lokesh Rahul limped.

And play stopped, with Rahul requiring medical assistance.

Play resumed after some three minutes, and a single to Watson.

A dot ball, then a single to end the over. Four runs, in total.

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Over 11 || Score 62/3 (L Rahul 24; S Watson 1)

Krunal Pandya returned for his third over, and a what a way to start. The bog wicket of Ab de Villiers.

A shorter delivery, and as expected de Villiers played a lofted shot, targeting the stands over deep mid-wicket. But it ended up with a catch at just inside the boundary, well taken by Ambati Rayudu.

WICKET: AB de Villiers c Ambati Rayudu b Krunal Pandya 24 (27b)

A single followed, then new man Shane Watson blocked three balls before taking a single.

Two runs and a wicket from the over.

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Over 10 || Score 60/2 (de Villiers 24; L Rahul 23)

Harbhajan Singh continued for second over, and a six to start it. A short delivery on off, and AB de Villiers played a powerfully executed pull shot over mid-wicket.

A dot ball, then three singles. A double off the last ball, thanks to a reverse sweep by Lokesh Rahul.

11 runs from the over.

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Over 9 || Score 49/2 (de Villiers 16; L Rahul 20)

Jasprit Bumrah returned for his second over. A dot to Lokesh Rahul, then a six — over deep mid-wicket. A lenght ball on the off, and the batsman had a free swing. It travelled.

A dot ball followed, then a single off a slower delivery.

AB de Villiers took a single thus giving back to his more junior partner.

Then, Lokesh played a brilliant, measured lofted cover drive. Just the perfect placement, for a four.

12 runs from the over.

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Over 8 || Score 37/2 (de Villiers 15; L Rahul 9)

After the first Time-Out, Harbhajan Singh on for Mumbai Indians.

A dot ball to AB de Villiers to start the spell, then a single from a reverse sweep. Two more singles followed.

Then, almost a return catch as the ball stopped and Lokesh Rahul failed to control his shot.

A single to the four-run over.

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Over 7 || Score 33/2 (de Villiers 13; L Rahul 7)

Krunal Pandya returned for his second over, and eight runs from it.

The over started with a 3, thanks to a brilliant stop by Mitchell McClenaghan at sweeper cover. Lokesh Rahul played a slap shot with purpose. Unlucky not have a for from the effort.

Five singles followed.

The pitch is slow, but this run-rate is super super slow.

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Over 6 || Score 25/2 (de Villiers 10; L Rahul 2)

Mitchell McClenaghan returned for his second over, and six runs from it.

The over started with a four to AB de Villiers, who played it through covers.

A single, then two dot balls followed, before Lokesh Rahul took another single. A dot to the end over.

Power-play over.

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Over 5 || Score 19/2 (de Villiers 5; L Rahul 1)

Another brilliant over from Mumbai Indians. Krunal Pandya on and the spinner leaked only two runs, off the last two deliveries.

This is one of the worst starts in an innings for Bangalore. With both the openers gone, the home side will need a good, solid re-foundation to post a challenging total against a strong Mumbai side.

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Over 4 || Score 17/2 (de Villiers 4; L Rahul 0)

That's flamboyance, and also the price for being audacious.

A single to start the over, then Chris Gayle took a dot ball before hitting a four through cover. Then the wicket. Back of a length delivery, and the West Indian lofted high, but it failed to travel. Rohit Sharma waited for some time and completed a very good catch at mid-off.

WICKET: Chris Gayle c Rohit Sharma b Tim Southee 5 (6b)

Five runs from the Tim Southee's second over. Lokesh Rahul is the new man.

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Over 3 || Score 12/1 (C Gayle 1; de Villiers 3)

Bowling change for Mumbai Indians, and Jasprit Bumrah conceded a single — off the last ball to AB de Villiers.

The South African was cautious, and seemed to have no qualms playing out the first five balls of the over.

This has been brilliant so far from the visitors.

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Over 2 || Score 11/1 (C Gayle 1; de Villiers 2)

Then, the run-machine is out. A loose delivery from Mitchell McClenaghan to start the over, with the ball outside off. And Virat Kohli poked, only to find the ball flying to fly slip, where Harbhajan Singh stooped low to complete the catch.

WICKET: Virat Kohli c Harbhajan Singh b Mitchell McClenaghan 7 (7b)

This was the first single digit knock from RCB captain this season, and first time in 2016.

AB de Villiers, the new man, took a single off the first ball he faced. Two more singles, and three runs from the over.

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Over 1 || Score 8/0 (V Kolhi 7; C Gayle 0)

First ball, a nice outswinger from Tim Southee and Virat Kohli laced onto it. A well timed cover drive, which was fielded. It was followed by a fuller, outside off delivery, and Kohli played it towards mid-wicket.

Another dot ball followed, then another, even as Kohli continued to produced back-to-back cracking cover drives. But Mumbai Indians fielders are more than a handfull.

Four balls, and no run.

Then, Kohli took the aerial route. And a six off the penultimate ball, over deep cover. A wide followed, then a single towards square leg to end the 8-run over.

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The big news from the toss was, world boss Chris Gayle is playing today. He replaced Travis Head. Sreenath Aravind also in XI, in place of Iqbal Abdulla, for RCB.

One change for Mumbai Indians too, Nitish Rana comes for Hardik Pandya. And that begs the question, who is this Rana? He is 22, and is from Delhi. A left-handed batsman with known power hitting abilities, and occasional off-break bowling. He was one of the stars in Delhi's run to the semi-final of the 2015-16 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

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And this is how the pitch at looks like

This is how the pitch looks like for @RCBTweets v @mipaltan match #RCBvMI #VIVOIPLhttps://t.co/SxHVua3dDD — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 11, 2016

Some time back

.@imVkohli and his boys are warming-up ahead of their game against @mipaltan #RCBvMI #VIVOIPLhttps://t.co/14LNw8mUR5 — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 11, 2016

Playing XIs:

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Chris Gayle, Lokesh Rahul (wk), Virat Kohli (capt.), AB de Villiers, Shane Watson, Sachin Baby, Stuart Binny, Sreenath Aravind, Chris Jordan, Varun Aaron, Yuzvendra Chahal

​Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (capt.), Parthiv Patel (wk), Ambati Rayudu, Krunal Pandya, Jos Buttler, Kieron Pollard, Nitish Rana, Harbhajan Singh, Tim Southee, Mitchell McClenaghan, Jasprit Bumrah

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Match Officials:

Umpires: Anil Dandekar and Chettithody Shamshuddin
Third Umpire: Rod Tucker
Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle
Reserve Umpire: Navdeep Singh

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TOSS: Mumbai Indian skipper Rohit Sharma wins toss, opts to bowl first against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

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SQUADS

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli (capt.), Varun Aaron, Abu Nechim, S Arvind, Samuel Badree, Stuart Binny, Yuzuvendra Chahal, AB De Villiers, Praveen Dubey, Chris Gayle, Travis head, Iqbal Abdulla, Kedar Jadhav, Akshay Karnewar, Sarfraz Khan, Vikramjeet Malik, Mandeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Lokesh Rahul, Parveez Rasool, Kane Richardson, Sachin Baby, Vikas Tokas, Shane Watson, David Wiese, Chris Jordan, Tabraiz Shamsi.

Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (capt.), Parthiv Patel, Hardik Pandya, Jos Buttler, Mitchell McClenaghan, Ambati Rayudu, Kieron Pollard, Harbhajan Singh, Jagadeesha Suchith, Tim Southee, Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Gopal, R Vinay Kumar, Corey Anderson, Unmukht Chand, Marchant de Lange, Siddhesh Lad, Kishore Kamath, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Punia, Nitish Rana, Jitesh Sharma, Nathu Singh, Akshay Wakhare, Martin Guptill.

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PREVIEW: Royal Challengers Bangalore will be looking to take the confidence from their nerve-wracking one-run victory over Kings XI Punjab when they clash with Mumbai Indians, who suffered a humiliating defeat in their previous game, in an Indian Premier League match.

The last time the two teams met, Mumbai Indians had defeated the Royal Challengers b y six wickets, and the Rohit Sharma-led side would hope to repeat the feat despite the set-back they received in their previous game.

And all eyes once again will be on skipper Virat Kohli, whose performance in the ongoing IPL has left oppositions dumbstruck.

The Bangalore captain is leading the batting chart with 561 runs so far, which includes two centuries and four half-tons.

So thus Rohit Sharma, who is blowing hot and cold. The Mumbai skipper, on his day, will make any bowling attack look pedestrian.

Currently lying at a lowly sixth position in the points table, a win will be crucial for the Royal Challengers to keep their hopes of making the IPL playoffs alive.

A loss for Bangalore today, however, will land them in big trouble and it would become tougher for them to enter the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians would be keen to make quick amends from their humiliating 85-run defeat at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad in their previous match.

Placed fifth in the table with 10 points, Mumbai Indians have a great chance of displacing Delhi Daredevils from number four position in the table and entering the top-four bracket with a win against the home team.

READ FULL PREVIEW HERE

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Welcome to our live coverage of the Match 41 of 2016 Indian Premier League between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians, being played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore.