IPL 2025: MI opt to bowl first against RCB, Bumrah returns, suspense over Rohit ends; know playing XI of both teams

Mumbai Indians (MI) take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bowl first in their Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at the Wankhede stadium on April 7, Monday. MI's playing XI has been bolstered by Jasprit Bumrah's presence. Not just this, Rohit Sharma will also be playing as an impact player for MI. Meanwhile, RCB didn't make any change to their playing XI as they will field the same team which they played in the match against GT.

What did the captains say after the toss?

After winning the toss, MI captain Hardik Pandya, said:

"We are gonna bowl first. This looks like a good track, dew might come in later. When dew comes, the wicket gets better. It always plays well for both teams. Time to get some good cricket behind us and do the right things. Mumbai has always been supporting us. Playing at home makes it different. The crowd is behind you and you are aware of the conditions. Jassie (Bumrah) is back and so is Ro (Rohit)."

Meanwhile, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar, after the toss, said:

"It's a typical Mumbai wicket, will be good to bat. It's important to play good cricket. Bowling unit, it's difficult to bowl here but I am very confident. We have played a lot of cricket, it's pretty clear what we need to do at every venue. We are playing with the same team."

MI's playing XI

Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton(w), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Vignesh Puthur

Mumbai Indians Impact Subs: Rohit Sharma, Corbin Bosch, Robin Minz, Ashwani Kumar, Raj Bawa

RCB's playing XI

Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Impact Subs: Rasikh Dar Salam, Suyash Sharma, Swastik Chikara, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh

MI vs RCB's head-to-head record

RCB and MI have locked horns with each other in 33 matches in IPL so far. While RCB have emerged victorious on 14 occasions, MI have won 19 matches.

Pitch Report

"In the first game that was played at this stadium in this season, KKR were bowled out for 116 but that was on pitch number 6, this is pitch number 8 today. Dimensions - 66m and 61m square boundaries, 74m straight. It's a little windy today - gusting up to 36 kph, you just wonder whether that's gonna have an effect on the dew. We know that when the dew comes here at the Wankhede, the ball flies everywhere and teams generally like to chase. I think that might have an influence tonight. When we look down at this surface, it's rock hard, it's got an even coverage of grass but it's a little bit bare. Don't expect a lot of spin on this surface and it should be a high-scoring surface. Mumbai have found it tough in the powerplay. They have got two of the all time legends in the IPL - Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar and they've found it hard in the powerplay so far. Whereas when you look at RCB, the best economy rate in the powerplay in this IPL so far and that's with the class and bounce of Josh Hazlewood and the experience of Bhuvneshwar Kumar who has been brilliant. It'll be interesting to see if there's any movement with this gusting wind out here," Natalie Germanos and Simon Katich analysed the pitch.