How to beat Mumbai Indians, the favourites to win against us

Tejas 11 Apr 2011

Tomorrow is going to be the real big test for RCB. If we can win against MI, we are favourites to win against the rest too.

Since we could conceded 160 runs against Kochi, so we can against MI. Our bowling is expected to improve but the opposition has lot better batting lineup than previous opponents. And anything chasing above 160 against MI will be a huge task. here is what i feel is our best chance to win against MI

Dilshan plays long- he is going to be the most crucial player agaisnt 'Slinga' Malinga. Having played him tons of times in the nests. Its best if he faces upto him. Also being a quality player of spin, he can well handle Harbhajan.

Respect Malinga- He is most unique & most deadly and its better we play his 24 balls for about 15 runs, but keep him wicketless! Having lost Zaheer, they lack a bit n support bowler to maintain pressure. RCB should be wise enought to be practising playing yorkers n slower balls, having seen what he did against DD. Since predictable that he targets the stumps most times, AB's scope shots could be effective but should be only risked if we got wickets in hand.

Attack the rest- If he dont give Malinga wickets, then we got the skill to score against the
likes of Harbhajan, Munaf, Pollard, Murtaza, franklin...

Pressure Sachin- Its lot easier said than done, but in Zaheer n Nannes (assuming improved) have enough to keep the master quite. Since MI play in way where Sachin grafts the innings to set it up for likes of Pollard, I dont expect he goes boom boom like McCullum went if we can be bit more accurate. So pressure at the top will lower the run rate n that can get the wickets. His presense is so crucial for MI, that him going early can struck the panic in them.

Save Vettori, Zaheer for Pollard & lower order- Pollard is a power house but lacks skillful batting. The turning, flight variations of Vettori n accuracy n slower balls of Zaheer could be good strategy against him and the lesser experienced domestic players. if we can have 2 overs of Vettori n 3 of Zaheer for these players, we could restrict them. For that, Nannes, Mithun, Dilshan, Asad should be bowling tight n far better than against Kochi.

Its all too easier said than done. We are up against the tiltle favourites.

NOTE for the members- Its ridiculous how that discussion forum is geting used comming up with same kind of topics again n again or with least interest and debatable. Go through the threads n see to it if a similar topic exists n discusses there insted of new topics started all the times. this site is lacking moderation