Mumbai Indians (MI) will be delighted with the fact that they have opened their account in the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
So much so, they’ve approached into the 21st match of the tournament against the Rajasthan Royals.
The visitors will be a confident unit this time around after their resounding victory against Virat Kohli‘s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their previous encounter.
Mumbai needed a victory desperately and they will surely look to keep up the momentum.
The defending champions Indians began with three close defeats. They were competitive all through but failed to seize the opportunities at crucial junctures in the game.
However, the three-time champions have been in this same condition before and have gone on to lift the coveted title. So, it won’t be a too much of a headache for Mumbai. But, a win on Sunday night is a must for the visitors in particular.
They have been bolstered by the return of Rohit Sharma, who scored a magnificent 94 of just 52 deliveries in the previous encounter. He shared a sensational stand of 108-runs with Caribbean opener Evin Lewis.
The southpaw Lewis also looked in sublime touch and raced off to 42-ball 65 which included five fours and four sixes.
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The bowling department rose to the occasion against Bangalore. Mitchell McClenaghan gave the initial breakthroughs before Krunal Pandya wrecked through the middle order.
Young leg-spinner Mayank Markande has been the find for Mumbai in this season far. The 20-year-old spinner has been sensational and is currently under the spotlight. He has been unplayable at times and has been very accurate in the four matches so far which odds going against him.
Rajasthan Royals had some indifferent days. Rahane has got off to starts but has failed to convert his starts into big ones. Ben Stokes and Jaydev Unadkat, two of the costliest players in the tournament so far has not risen to the occasion.
Paceman Unadkat has been smashed all around the park. The left-arm pacer has to start performing pretty soon and repay the faith showed in him.
On the other hand, Stokes will definitely be looking for breakthrough innings.
After a couple of brilliant innings, Sanju Samson has been scratchy in the last couple of matches. He has fallen to rash shots.
However when on a song, the youngster has looked a class apart. He is in the race for the Orange Cap. The bowling of young leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal has come in pretty handy for the Royals.
Team Combinations –
Rajasthan Royals:
The only change might come in the form of Jofra Archer when he gets fully fit. Ben Laughlin who has performed pretty well so far might have to make way for Archer if he is fit to play.
Barring this Rajasthan in all likelihood will field the same playing XI
Predicted XI: Ajinkya Rahane(c), Heinrich Klaasen, Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(w), Rahul Tripathi, Stuart Binny, Krishnappa Gowtham, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat, Ben Laughlin/Jofra Archer
Mumbai Indians:
They have a pretty settled unit. Despite the first three losses to begin with- they look a formidable side on paper. It will take some doing from Rajasthan against Mumbai if they have to win the encounter.
Their top order looks solid and will look to continue their momentum. The only concern might be with Ishan Kishan who suffered a freakish injury in the previous match.
However, he is expected to be fit for the latest clash. Hence Mumbai in all likelihood will field the winning combination.
Predicted XI: Suryakumar Yadav, Evin Lewis, Ishan Kishan(w)/Aditya Tare, Rohit Sharma(c), Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Mitchell McClenaghan, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah, Mustafizur Rahman
Match Prediction:
Both teams have indifferent beginning to their tournament campaign so far. While Rajasthan has lost three and won a couple,
Mumbai has clinched their solitary victory with the same amount of losses.