IPL 2023, RCB vs MI : Is Rohit Sharma playing IPL campaign opener? Here's a major update

Mumbai Indians head coach Mark Boucher ruled out reports about Rohit Sharma being doubtful for MI’s Indian Premier League 2023 campaign opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday evening. As new 2023 season got underway, media reports claimed Rohit might miss match . 5 of IPL 2023 due to poor health after he missed pre-season skipper’s meet in Ahmedabad on Friday. However, Boucher turned down all rumors, clarifying that Rohit Sharma is match ready and will lead five-time champions against Faf du Plessis-led RCB on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters in pre-match press conference on Saturday, Boucher said, “Yes, Rohit is fit. He has trained last two days and is 100 percent ready to go. I think he didn't feel particularly well that morning and just as a precaution, we told him to stay at home. re are a lot of photo shoots boys have had to do. He's t had a lot of time to himself so we thought it was better”.

IPL 2023: Will Jofra Archer feature in RCB vs MI? Mark Boucher reveals

Meanwhile, MI head coach also shed light on star pacer Jofra Archer’s participation, who comes into IPL 2023 after a long injury layoff. Archer’s role in team comes as a key factor for Mumbai-based team, who are without services of ir flag-beater Jasprit Bumrah. Archer missed previous season for MI, while Bumrah, unfortunately, sits out this year.

"Jofra is good, he is 100 per cent ready for tomorrow. He didn't train today, it was an optional training session. He felt that he was ready to put spikes on tomorrow. We are very happy with his progression since he has been with us. He'll be playing tomorrow,” Boucher confirmed at presser. Mumbai Indians finished at bottom of IPL points table last year and are w looking to leave demons behind to win ir sixth IPL trophy.

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RCB vs MI Playing XI: Predicted playing XIs for IPL 2023 match

RCB Probable XI: Faf du Plessis (c), Finn Allen, Virat Kohli, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), David Willey, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Reece Topley, Mohammed Siraj, Karn Sharma

MI Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav, Cameron Green, Tim David, Hrithik Shokeen, Piyush Chawla, Shams Mulani, Jofra Archer, Jason Behrendorff