(Cricinfo)The clash between the two IPL heavyweights Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bangalore is the biggest draw in Group A and the stakes have increased with South Australia Redbacks sealing their place in the semis after three straight wins. Mumbai Indians face a must-win clash while Royal Challengers Bangalore have a bit more breathing space, given they’ll be facing the Lions in their final league game after the results of today’s fixtures will have either intensified or narrowed down the race for the final four. Defeats for Guyana and Mumbai today will knock them out, making the Bangalore-Lions game a sudden death. The opposite results, however, will, theoretically, keep all four teams in contention. Mumbai and Bangalore brushed aside Guyana and their defeats to South Australia shared much similarity. Both fielded terribly and were neutered by century-opening stands but the difference lay in the batting. While Mumbai’s innings was laced with several important contributions, a feat repeated against Guyana, Bangalore had just three batsmen reach double-figures en route to 154 which included 13 extras. Each of the frontline Indian batsmen fell cheaply and though Bangalore were rescued by the counterattack led by Ross Taylor and Dillon du Preez, it’s a failure they can ill-afford to repeat against an equally power-packed Mumbai batting line-up. The loss of Jacques Kallis due to a sore back had its impact at the top of the order and with the ball. A return could prove a timely boost to a side slightly behind on momentum.
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