Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Mumbai Indians in what is set to be a key contest in IPL 2025. While RCB will look to potentially move to the top of the points table, another defeat will put pressure on MI. Out of the 33 matches between these two sides, MI have won 19 and RCB 14. RCB has a slight edge in the last 5 matches against MI, but MI won their last two games – by 7 wickets in 2024 and 6 wickets in 2023.
RCB’s curse at Wankhede Stadium
The problem for RCB, statistically, lies in their record against MI at the Wankhede Stadium. RCB last won a game at this venue vs MI back in 2015 when Virat Kohli smashed 82 and AB de Villiers hammered 133 in a total of 235 for 1; MI lost by 39 runs.
Since that game, RCB played MI on 6 occasions at the Wankhede and lost all 6 of them. In 2016, RCB went down by 6 wickets, then by 5 wickets in 2017, 46 runs in 2018, 5 wickets in 2019, 6 wickets in 2023 and 7 wickets in 2024. It is this jinx that RCB will need to break and that too with MI’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah available for selection.
RCB high on confidence
RCB, however, will be high on confidence despite their defeat at home to Gujarat Titans. A few days back, RCB broke the Chepauk barrier with a victory at that venue against Chennai Super Kings for the first time since 2017.
RCB generally pick momentum in the second half of most IPL seasons, and this year, they will be delighted with their start. Virat Kohli, the all-time leading run-scorer in the IPL, was in fine form heading into the tournament, and the Wankhede Stadium is a venue he should like.
MI desperate for success
MI have a lot to play for. One of the most followed franchise sides in the world, MI lost a high-scoring game to Lucknow Super Giants despite the all-round heroics of Hardik Pandya.
The Wankhede holds a lot of memories for some of India’s cricket stalwarts and Virat Kohli happens to be one of them. In 2011, when India lifted the World Cup, Kohli was one of the young stars who played a crucial hand in a historic run chase. 14 years and 5 days later, the onus will once again be on him – this time as a senior statesman of the game.
