![\"IPL](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130993478,imgsize-88656,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/ipl-suryakumar-yadav-leads-mi-as-hardik-pandya-misses-lsg-clash-due-to-back-spasm.jpg\" "\\"Suryakumar")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRoyal Challengers Bengaluru won the toss and elected to bowl first against Mumbai Indians<\/a> in a crucial IPL 2026 encounter. RCB head into the match under pressure after recent defeats against Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants pushed them down to fourth on the points table. Although they remain firmly in the playoff race, their cushion over the chasing teams has reduced significantly. <\/p>\n Watch<\/span><\/p>\n Why Suryakumar Yadav is set to lose India T20I captaincy: All you need to know<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, are languishing in ninth place and are staring at elimination despite winning their previous game. Another defeat could leave them on the brink of elimination. MI regular captain Hardik Pandya<\/a> misses this match as well after also being unavailable for the previous fixture.At the toss, MI skipper Suryakumar Yadav<\/a> said the side was \u201cpretty confident\u201d batting first on the black-soil wicket and believed scoreboard pressure would be important later in the game. \u201cIt\u2019s a big ground and runs on the board will always create pressure on the opposition,\u201d he said, while also admitting the team has been working hard to improve its bowling performances. RCB captain Rajat Patidar said bowling first was the \u201cpretty obvious\u201d decision because of the hard surface and favourable chasing conditions. \u201cWe had a couple of losses but it\u2019s important to stay in the present and focus on our strengths,\u201d Patidar said. He added that RCB were more focused on improving their own game rather than worrying about other teams.Teams:<\/span>Mumbai Indians<\/span> (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton(w), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Will Jacks, Raj Bawa, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, AM GhazanfarRoyal Challengers Bengaluru<\/span> (Playing XI): Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar<\/div>\n