One of many best rivalries within the Indian Premier League (IPL) between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians is about for one more chapter as the 2 highly effective groups are set to sq. off in opposition to one another within the twentieth match of the competitors.
The 18th version of the event has seen its fair proportion of drama and motion and a superb mixture of high-scoring and low-scoring contests. Whereas MI have gained 5 IPL titles to this point, RCB are nonetheless trying to find their maiden title.
RCB began the 18th season in model, profitable the primary two matches in opposition to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK). They suffered their first defeat in opposition to the Gujarat Titans however are nonetheless occupying the third place within the factors desk.
In the meantime the Mumbai Indians are languishing on the backside half of the factors desk with a solitary win in 4 matches. They’ve been a shadow of what has made them a champion facet. Barring a powerful win in opposition to KKR, MI have been outplayed by CSK, GT and LSG. They’ve to begin profitable matches constantly now, to have a shot on the playoffs.
As many as 5 gamers from RCB had earlier represented MI within the IPL. Forward of their conflict, allow us to take a look at 5 RCB gamers in IPL 2025 who have been earlier in MI:
# 5. Rasikh Salam Dar
Rasikh Dar made his debut within the IPL as a 17-year-old again in 2019. The pacer with lots of variations up his sleeve was snapped up by the Mumbai Indians for his base worth forward of the 2019 version of the IPL.
He grew to become the youngest MI participant to play within the IPL in 2019. He could not fairly make a big mark within the competitors and performed only a solitary match for the franchise.
Later that yr, he was suspended for 2 years following an age discrepancy. He’s at present a part of the RCB squad and can look to cement his spot within the XI.
One other Sri Lankan bowler from the Lasith Malinga mould, Nuwan Thushara rose into the limelight as a result of his slingy motion. He was roped in by the Mumbai Indians forward of the 2024 IPL season and made a good impression within the matches he performed.
He bagged eight wickets in seven matches however was launched by the five-time champions forward of the 2025 mega public sale. Thushara swings the ball each methods, and his uncanny motion makes it tough for batters to select him. He’s but to discover a place within the enjoying XI for RCB within the ongoing season.
A strong striker of the ball and a much-improved bowler within the shortest format, Romario Shepherd made his mark within the IPL together with his blistering cameo for MI in 2024. He was traded from the Lucknow Tremendous Giants throughout the buying and selling window, however did not get a long term for MI.
He has developed a searing yorker along with some well-disguised slower deliveries. Shepherd was launched by the Mumbai Indians forward of the 2025 mega public sale and was purchased by RCB. Given how set the RCB group appears to be like, it’d take a while earlier than Shepherd options within the enjoying XI.
Probably the most brutal finishers in IPL, Tim David, was an integral member of the Mumbai Indians franchise and represented them from 2022 to 2024. He is without doubt one of the cleanest ball strikers in world cricket and has already develop into a pivotal member for RCB within the ongoing version of the IPL.
David grew to become the primary participant from Singapore in 2022 to be a part of the IPL earlier than he grew to become eligible to play for Australia. He has a specified function in whichever groups he performs for and has carried out admirably in whichever roles he has been given. David will look to maintain offering late-order impetus for RCB because the event progresses.
The left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Krunal Pandya, alongside together with his youthful brother, noticed many glory days with the Mumbai Indians. He performed his first season for MI in 2016 and continued representing the franchise until 2021. He was one of many key figures throughout MI’s title triumphs in 2017, 2019, and 2020.
The left-arm orthodox spinner can bowl at any juncture of the sport and is without doubt one of the most astute cricketing brains going round. He performed a match-winning function in RCB’s first recreation of the season.
He picked three essential wickets in opposition to KKR and can search for extra consistency as RCB tries to win their first IPL marketing campaign. Krunal can be an necessary lower-order batter who can bat based on the sport scenario.
