IPL 2026: Mumbai Indians’ strongest predicted XI against Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Mumbai Indians (MI) take on arch-rivals Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur, on Sunday, May 10.

Hardik Pandya is set to return to the side after missing the last game due to back spasms. He will have to lead from the front as the Mumbai Indians have only three wins and seven defeats from 10 matches. Every match is like a knockout for the five-time champions.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, on the other hand, have six wins and four defeats from 10 matches. However, they are coming into this clash on the back of two back-to-back defeats. RCB can move to the top of the points table with a win on Sunday.

Here is MI’s strongest predicted XI vs RCB for Match 54, IPL 2026:

Top Order: Ryan Rickelton (WK), Rohit Sharma (IMP), Naman Dhir

Ryan Rickelton has been in fine form, amassing 380 runs in eight innings at an average of 54.29 and a strike rate of 190.96. Rohit Sharma made his comeback from injury in the last game and smashed 84 off 44 balls. Meanwhile, Naman Dhir has had a strong season, scoring 256 runs in 10 innings. He has two fifties to his name.

Middle Order: Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Will Jacks, Raj Bawa

Suryakumar Yadav and his wife have been blessed with a baby girl. He took paternity leave after the last game but is set to play against RCB on Sunday. Hardik Pandya will hope to come to the party after having a lacklustre campaign so far with bat and ball. Tilak Varma has been shuffled up and down the batting order. He hasn't had much success, barring the remarkable century he scored against the Gujarat Titans.

Will Jacks fared decently after being promoted to the top of the order. However, with the return of Rohit, he has had to drop back to the lower order. Raj Bawa, meanwhile, didn't get to bat or bowl in the last game. However, it's good to see the talented seam-bowling all-rounder getting a chance in the playing XI.

Bowlers: Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, AM Ghazanfar, Raghu Sharma

Trent Boult has not been in great form this season. In five matches, he has only picked up two wickets. The left-arm seamer was left out of the side in the last game. However, the Mumbai Indians' management could opt to bring him back into the side as they need experience at this stage. Jasprit Bumrah has also been having an underwhelming season with the ball. The legendary seamer has only picked up three wickets in 10 games at an average of 109.67 and an economy rate of 8.89.

AM Ghazanfar has bowled well inside the power play and also through the middle overs. The mystery spinner has 12 wickets from eight matches at an average of 23.83 and an economy rate of 9.92. Meanwhile, Raghu Sharma has also had an impressive start to his IPL career. In two games, he has taken one wicket and been economical.

MI’s predicted playing XI vs RCB in Match 54, IPL 2026:

Ryan Rickelton (WK), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (C), Tilak Varma, Will Jacks, Raj Bawa, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, AM Ghazanfar, Raghu Sharma.

Impact Player: Rohit Sharma