Jasprit Bumrah is back in action! The star bowler is ready to join the Mumbai Indians as they gear up to face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Wankhede Stadium. This matchup in Match No. 20 of IPL 2025 will see Bumrah go head-to-head with Virat Kohli, and historically, Bumrah has had the upper hand, having dismissed Kohli five times in T20 matches.

In their previous IPL 2024 encounter at the same venue, Bumrah had Kohli struggling, ultimately getting him out for just 3 runs off 9 balls. Kohli seemed unsettled from the get-go as Bumrah showcased his bowling skills.

The clash between these two modern legends adds an exciting twist to the highly anticipated game between Mumbai Indians and RCB. Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson is eager to see how this rivalry unfolds and who will emerge victorious.

"The showdown between Virat and Jasprit is going to be something special. However, considering Jasprit hasn't played since early January, there might be a bit of rustiness. His execution could be slightly off after being out of the game for four months. So, I wouldn't be surprised if Virat manages to come out on top," Watson shared as a JioStar expert in response to a question from Hindustan Times.

"With Bumrah back, it might just take him an over to really get into his rhythm and showcase his amazing skills. The showdown at Wankhede is going to be thrilling. He knows how to rack up runs there, so it’s going to be an exciting clash between those two," he mentioned.

Bumrah is making his comeback to competitive cricket after nearly four months on the sidelines. He suffered a back spasm during the Sydney Test against Australia and has been out of the game since.

"Having Bumrah back is a massive boost for the Mumbai Indians. He’s just phenomenal, Jasprit Bumrah. We’ve seen his talent throughout the IPL and on the international stage with India. His ability to control the game is remarkable; batters rarely get the upper hand against him. He knows how to take wickets with his variations," Watson said.

"His performance under pressure is outstanding. He’s really going to provide the Mumbai Indians with the lift they need. They’ve been a bit inconsistent lately, so Bumrah stepping in and holding the team together will be a significant advantage to kickstart their season," he added.

What's happening with Chennai Super Kings?

CSK, under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, has had a rough beginning to the 18th season of the T20 tournament, managing to win only one out of their first four matches. Currently, the five-time champions sit in ninth place in the IPL standings, with just 2 points.

Watson thinks CSK is doing everything they can to find the right team combination, and once they nail down their playing XI, they should be able to turn their season around.

"It's been an unexpected start for CSK this season. Typically, after a major auction, they have a clear strategy and fill all their roles, from batting to bowling. So, seeing them make several adjustments in just the first four games is quite unusual for them. With the recent auction, they have a few gaps to address," Watson explained.

"I'm optimistic that with the choices they made before the last match, and after a few games playing together in various conditions, they will definitely bounce back. I'm confident in our top three or four batters to set a solid foundation, whether we bat first or second, making it easier for the middle and lower order to take advantage of a good start. You can never count CSK out; they know how to win," he added.

This is Ruturaj Gaikwad's second season as the captain of CSK, and Watson thinks he needs some time to really settle into the role.

"Ruturaj is still a relatively young captain, and he gained a lot of experience from last season. He’s had the chance to learn from two of the best leaders in cricket over the past 30 years. We’ve got Fleming, who is not only an amazing captain but also a fantastic tactician and people manager, now serving as a coach," Watson explained.

"Then there's MSD, who is undoubtedly one of the greatest captains ever. Ruturaj couldn’t ask for a better environment to grow in. However, it takes time to figure things out in real-game situations. It might take him at least a year to understand how to maximize his own skills and the knowledge he has from his preparation. He’ll also need to lean on MSD and Stephen Fleming for guidance at the right moments. It’s just going to take a bit of time for him to fully utilize all these incredible resources. From what I’ve seen, he’s improving consistently and continues to learn along the way because that’s just who he is," he added.

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