IPL 2018, Match 47, MI vs RR- Rajasthan Royals Predicted XI

The Rajasthan Royals registered a very key win against the Chennai Super Kings in the previous game of the season. It was a sensational knock from Jos Buttler that sealed the fate of the game for the Royals on the day. With the win, they have managed to stay alive in the contest this season. They are still pretty much in contention for the playoffs. They are tied up with the Mumbai Indians in the points table.

Every game that the Rajasthan Royals play from here will be a must win game for them. And the story is similar for the Mumbai Indians. Interestingly, the match number 47 of the IPL 2018 will see these two sides lock horns against one another. The last time these two sides met in the competition, it was K Gowtham’s blitzkrieg that had stunned the visitors in Jaipur in a thrilling encounter.

Now, with both teams desperate to record wins in the series, expect the intensity to only get higher. The Mumbai Indians, playing at their home and riding on a winning  run, will be the favorites to win the game. However, one can never rule out the Royals. For the Royals to beat the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede, they will have to come up with their best possible eleven for the match.

Here is the Rajasthan Royals Predicted XI for the match:

Openers (Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes)

The solitary reason why the campaign for the Rajasthan Royals is still alive this season is the form of Jos Buttler. Buttler has been in a phenomenal hitting form with the bat. The English cricketer has hit four consecutive fifties in the season and his knock of  unbeaten 95 in the previous game seals the spot for him in the side.

In the previous game against the Chennai Super Kings, Jos Buttler was accompanied by Ben Stokes in the opening slot. It is very much likely that the Royals will continue with the same opening pair for at least for one game. Stokes hit a four and a six before getting dismissed and will be itching to score big at the top.

Middle-Order (Ajinkya Rahane, Sanju Samson, Prashant Chopra)

In the middle-order, Ajinkya Rahane demoted himself to the number three slot. He did so in order to add stability to the middle order of the Royals. Rahane has been in a decent form in the ongoing edition of the tournament. However, he has lost his plot big time in the recent couple of weeks.

The story is pretty much the same for another middle order batsman, Sanju Samson. Samson had started off the 2018 season on a very high note. However, as the tournament has progressed, Samson has lost his touch with the bat. The Royals will be hoping to see him strike form again.

In the previous game, the Rajasthan Royals also gave an opportunity to domestic talent, Prashant Chopra. Chopra, however, failed to prove his worth in the game. He scored 8 in the match before getting dismissed. It will be unfair for him to get dropped after getting just one game in the season.

All-rounders (Stuart Binny, K Gowtham, Jofra Archer)

In the all-rounders department, the Rajasthan Royals have the services of Stuart Binny. The Karnataka all-rounder has not been utilized to the full potential thus far in the tournament though. In the two recent games that he has played, he has come up with handy cameos with the bat.

The star performer in the department for the Royals has been K Gowtham. In the previous game, it was K Gowtham who changed the course of the match with his couple of sixes in the final stages of the game. Moreover, Gowtham has been very successful in bowling well in the powerplays.

Pace bowler Jofra Archer has been very successful for the Royals thus far. Archer has been going away for quite some runs in the last couple of outings, but has always looked like picking up wickets every time he has got the opportunity with the ball. He is the most successful pacer in the lineup.

Spinners (Ish Sodhi, Mahipal Lomror)

The spin department has found a very able spinner in the RR dugout. New Zealand leggie Ish Sodhi has been in a sublime form with the ball. He has not only taken wickets but has also managed to contain the run flow. In the game against the Kings, he had conceded just 14 runs in four overs.

Alongside Sodhi, it was Ankit Sharma who played in the match against the Chennai Super Kings. However, he was given just one over to bowl. In all likelihood, the Royals can field in Mahipal Lomror at the expense of Ankit in the next game. Lomror will add depth to the batting order.

Pacers (Jaydev Unadkat)

Jaydev Unadkat has largely been under-performing in the season thus far. He was the most sought after Indian bowler at the IPL auctions this year. He has failed to justify his price tag. But with the business end of the season coming close, one would expect the veteran campaigner to hit his straps right.

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