‘Their spinners haven’t done well’ – Former India batter highlights biggest concern for RCB ahead of game vs MI

The 20th game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to witness Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on Mumbai Indians (MI) on Monday. Both sides have made contrasting starts to the season, with RCB having won two games and lost one match so far. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, have won just once and lost three games to start the season on a disastrous note. 

Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra pointed out the biggest weakness for RCB going into the game. The 47-year-old said that Bengaluru’s spinners haven’t been up to the mark going into the huge game against Mumbai Indians on Monday. Former MI star Krunal Pandya has seen his performances go downhill since his three-wicket haul vs Kolkata on the opening game of the season. 

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said, “They have three bowlers who will like these conditions. Josh Hazlewood will like bowling here. Bhuvneshwar Kumar would love bowling on the Wankhede surface, and they have Yash Dayal. All three bowlers will enjoy bowling here. They will be very, very decent”

‘We were abused a lot’ – Aakash Chopra gives his take on RCB’s spin attack 

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former India batter went on to add, “Krunal Pandya's first match was outstanding. However, his performances have been up and down after that. We were abused a lot, that we were saying Bengaluru's spin was bad and were asked to see how well they bowled. However, in the fourth match, we are saying that their spinners haven't done that well. The spinners will have to lift their game a little”

The 47-year-old also praised Virat Kohli and Phil Salt’s opening partnership and called for the duo to continue performing in the same vein. “The season has been decent. They have lost just one match and won two. They have won both their away games, and this is once again an away game. Whenever the opening partnership is good, they find themselves in a very nice space. You fall where it doesn't happen," 

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians are set to welcome back Jasprit Bumrah to their team. The 31-year-old was passed fit to play the game on Sunday. Bumrah could be seen bowling in the nets to Rohit Sharma and was also given a warm welcome by his teammates. Mahela Jayawardene had confirmed that Bumrah was set to play to give a huge shot in the arm for many fans.