The Match: Mumbai Indians will travel to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore to take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the eighth game of the IPL this season. This will be the second game of the season for both the sides.
How the two teams match up: Both the sides go into the game after having won their first game of this season. Bangalore had to fight tooth and nail for their win against the Kochi Tuskers, but in the end, a tactical error from Mahela Jayawardene got them the game. On the other hand, the Mumbai Indians stunned the Delhi Daredevils with some sizzling pace from Lasith Malinga. Malinga took five wickets and went on to bowl the opponents out for 95.
Ground Conditions: The game will be played at the Chinnaswamy, which is easily one of the better batting wickets in the country. However, what is also interesting to note is that the pitch helps the pace bowlers and affords for some bounce. This was the case till the last year but in the World Cup, one saw the batsmen getting lot more assistance than the bowlers.
The Teams: Judging by the way the Mumbai Indians went about their business, it seems highly unlikely that they will look to change the line-up, unless of course Andrew Symonds gets fit in time for this game. And if he does get fit, then he could come in for either James Franklin who did not have too many opportunities or wicket-keeper Davy Jacobs.
If Jacobs goes out, it will be left to Ambati Rayadu to pick up the gloves and double up as the wicket-keeper as well, another of the Mumbai strength.
Bangalore had a good game against the Kochi Tuskers, where the initial bowling went for a lot of runs. Zaheer Khan seemed to have done his job but Dirk Nannes conceded a lot, as did Abhimanyu Mithun. While it should not make them rush to make changes, the side will understand that another mistake against the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Kieron Pollard will be punished hard.
Players to look out for: If Symonds is fit, he will be one to watch out for the Mumbai Indians. On the other hand, the bowling of Daniel Vettori could be the key for the Bangalore side.
Prediction: Nothing to choose from between the two sides but the Royal Challengers Bangalore may be slightly ahead at home.