Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI) are two IPL teams owned by Indian business tycoons and their teams have some big buys of the IPL with a number of star players in their squad.
But, neither team have been in great form with RCB in seventh position of the standings table with two points from two matches, which is not what the team were looking for when they started the eighth edition of the IPL.
Mumbai Indians have an even worse record, as they are in the last position. They are still searching for their first win, as they have succumbed to four consecutive losses. This is a pathetic run of form for MI, especially with an array of stars at their disposal.
The game between the two at M Chinnaswamy Stadium would witness a number of match-winners in their respective line-ups.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
AB de Villiers: You bowl short, he pulls you for six, you bowl full, he drives you over extra cover, you bowl fast, the ball is dispatched to the boundary at the rate of knots. Such has been the form of the South African of late, hence has been touted as the best player amongst the current crop of players.
He is striking the ball clean, but has not been able to come up with match-winning scores for RCB, though they have only played two games so far. The Proteas skipper, who has not been able to stamp his authority in IPL 2015, could make this Sunday night a special one for everyone with his willow doing all the talking. If AB de Villiers sticks at the wicket for around 8-10 overs, expect RCB to be in a commanding position.
Chris Gayle: The left hander is one of the most feared batsmen in world cricket, though he might be inconsistent. But when in form, he can rip apart any bowling attack in the world. Being an opener, he sets the tone for the rest of the batsmen to follow. Gayle can win games single-handedly as was witnessed in their first game against Kolkata Knight Riders, which they won after Gayle's 56-ball 96-run innings.
Mumbai Indians
Rohit Sharma: The Indian batsman does not seem to know his best batting position, as he has opened and come in the middle order in the four matches played so far, but his opponents sure knows the threat he possesses as soon as he takes his mark on the batting crease, irrespective of what number he comes to bat. With the willow in hand, he can change gears like Michael Schumacher in no time. The Mumbaikar is known for his timing and the nonchalant ease at which he can smack bowlers over mid-wicket fence for huge sixes.
Kieron Pollard: The 1.96m tall batsman from West Indies can hit the cricket ball long as anyone in world cricket and with the form he has shown of late, the RCB bowlers might have done their homework well enough, else it might be a carnage. The batsman has been hitting the cricket ball clean as was witnessed in his last match against Chennai Super Kings, where he scored 64 runs, comprising five huge 6s along with four 4s. Another such blitzkrieg could help Mumbai Indians cross the finishing line.
