Since 2012, five-time winners Mumbai haven’t been able to win their first game of the Indian T20 League across seasons. 11 years back, they beat arch-rivals Chennai, who were defending their title at the time. Since then, the Blue brigade hasn’t been able to win the opening game of their season. It all started against Bangalore in 2013 when they lost by two runs.
For the first time in the league’s history, Bangalore beat Mumbai at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Meanwhile, since then, the jinx of losing the first game for the former champions hasn’t gotten away from them. On the other hand, since it started, the team has managed to win five titles. Before this, from 2008 to 2012, they reached the final once (2010) and playoffs twice (2011 and 2012) but never won the title.
However, the last two seasons haven’t been the best for the Rohit Sharma-led side. After winning their fifth title in 2020, they haven’t qualified for the playoffs. On the other hand, the three-time finalists have had a consistent run, qualifying for the playoffs in three consecutive seasons in 2020, 2021, and 2021. Both teams will lock horns again in the fifth game of the 16th season.
This is how Twitter reacted
MI ???? pic.twitter.com/RSbZmNTPiJ
— Subhash Chandra Patel??82* (@PunjabKings_Fan) April 2, 2023
— ` (@rahulmsd_91) April 2, 2023
Mufa, Mumbai is clueless when it comes to their first matches.
Earlier it was problem of plenty. This year, people know the problem better.
— Kashif Ansari ?? ???? ?????? (@2021Kashif) April 2, 2023
They are losing first matches so they arranged a match against RCB ?
Smart move
— MAHIYANK ™ (@Mahiyank_78) April 2, 2023
Congratulations RCB to win the first match & Eh sala bhi cup nahi re ?
— Shakti Man ? (@IamShaktiMann) April 2, 2023
And RCB's trophy cabinet since 2008 pic.twitter.com/VLCltfzNBl
— samrat (@45isEmotion) April 2, 2023
First match harna is pic.twitter.com/LLkSwZljXV
— ???????? (@Mogemmbo) April 2, 2023
But Today Match is in Chinnaswamy .
You can back Haarcb pic.twitter.com/bWiHXIr4cm— DewAzam (@mewari_ravi) April 2, 2023
Parampara. Pratishtha. Anushasan. first match loss..Yehi MI gurukul ke chaar stambh hain. pic.twitter.com/VKCTzFHn06
— Jaammii..? (@Jaammiing) April 2, 2023
— The Practical Guy (@_Beingpractical) April 2, 2023
Mumbai has lost thrice against Bangalore at the Chinnaswamy Stadium
Generally, teams at their home grounds feel comfortable. However, that is not the case with the Red Army. In the last three seasons, they haven’t played their home venue and have done in the tournament. After all, the ground is quite small which becomes a graveyard for bowlers. This has been one of the reasons why Bangalore hasn’t done well against Mumbai at Chinnaswamy stadium.
After playing 14 games, the home team has won only three, losing 10 and one game ending in no-result. However, things have changed for the five-time winners since last year’s mega auction. They are in a transition phase and are looking for the right combination, having finished last year in the 15th season. On the other hand, Bangalore is more of a settles unit.
