MI vs RCB: Tilak Varma: IPL 2023 – All eyes will be on Tilak Varma in the epic Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore clash at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai today, on May 09. Varma missed the last clash against CSK due to niggle as Tristan Stubbs replaced him. With the playoffs race heating up, MI would love to have Varma in the finisher role against Virat Kohli-powered RCB. The question though remains if the southpaw is fully fit for his return, as MI aim for revenge against RCB. Follow Indian Premier League 2023 LIVE Updates on Insidesport.IN
For the uninitiated, Varma has been MI’s best batter, scoring 274 runs in nine games at a stunning strike rate of 158.38. The 20-year-old’s absence was felt against CSK, as MI failed to get going in the closing stages of the innings. Apart from Rinku Singh for KKR, Varma has been a revelation as a finisher for MI in IPL 2023 season.
MI vs RCB: Has Varma recovered from niggle? MI sweat over youngster’s fitness in a must-win clash against RCB
There is no confirmation yet from MI’s end about Varma being fully fit for the game against RCB. When Rohit was quizzed, on the toss on his playing XI against CSK, the opener confirmed Varma’s injury.
“Going pretty well, had a couple of good games, just about continuing the momentum. We have some worries, but we’ve started to do well. It’s been challenging to find the right players and the right combinations. We know our strengths and the players who can fit in. Two changes for is – Kumar Kartikeya is OUT, a debut for Raghav Goyal. Tilak Varma is slightly injured, he’s replaced by Tristan Stubbs,” Rohit Sharma said at the toss.
MI vs RCB: If Varma misses out, who replaces him in the playing XI?
Stubbs failed to grab his chances with both hands against CSK, as he scored a sedate 21-ball 20 runs. MI have the option to bring Dewald Brevis in place of Stubbs. The Under-19 star is yet to feature for MI in this IPL season. Nehal Wadhera will hold on to his spit on account of his fighting 50 against CSK. Arshad Khan may be axed against RCB as he conceded 28 runs in 10 balls. MI have Kumar Kartikeya as an option to replace Arshad. The rest of the squad will remain the same for MI.
MI Playing XI against RCB: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tristan Stubbs/Tilak Varma, Tim David, Nehal Wadhera, Jofra Archer, Piyush Chawla, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya
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