IPL 2019: Match 27, MI v RR, Preview: Can Royals rumble at Wankhede to keep gigantic Mumbai on backfoot?

It's like now or never for Rajasthan Royals as they won only one match of the six played so far this season.

Published - 12 Apr 2019, 13:47 IST | Updated - 12 Apr 2019, 13:47 IST

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If Rajasthan Royals continue to be in the same form, they might have to face tongue-in-cheek situation soon. Well, their demand-supply graph seems to be in a topsy-turvy condition due to the kind of their approach in the tournament. It will be a litmus test for the one-time league champions side when they face off talismanic IPL side Mumbai Indians. Alike Chennai Super Kings, whom Royals lost to on Thursday by four wickets, Mumbai Indians also have good match finishers.

There is no cricket left in Kieron Pollard would be an understatement. It was a subtle act of building his team’s confidence when the top order collapsed but the big Polly steered his side to an immaculate victory against Kings XI Punjab. The Mumbai fans at Wankhede were in sheer joy for the big man’s 31-ball 83 which carved out a nerve-wracking three-wicket win.

Rohit Sharma led Mumbai side have won three consecutive matches, while the one and only win for Royals came against Royal Challengers Bangalore as the Ajinkya’s side touched rock bottom. The high flying Indians have booked the third slot and will climb up the ladder if they can break Royal’s spine on Saturday at the iconic Wankhede.

Team Combinations

Mumbai Indians

Rohit Sharma is likely to make a comeback after he was rested for the previous match because of muscle spasm in the right leg. While Evin Lewis would be a good option to replace Quinton de Kock, as the latter hasn’t shone with the bat this season. If Pollard takes forward his big hitting momentum ahead, he is more than sufficient in the middle order. With Alzarri Joseph, Jason Behrendorff, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, Mumbai side has solid pace attack. Also, the spin duo of Krunal Pandya and Rahul Chahar, who can break the deadlock are striking right cords of late.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Evin Lewis, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan (wk), Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Alzarri Joseph, Jason Behrendorff, Jasprit Bumrah.

Rajasthan Royals

With rising concerns over consistency, Rahane may dump one of their main players, Australian Steve Smith. Smith might be replaced by Ashton Turner. Despite not in the block, Rahane would give another opportunity to come back man Sanju Samson and Rahul Tripathi. Royals require more of the batting strength at Wankhede to keep the Mumbai side in pressure with big scoring batters on the charts.

Probable XI: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Jos Buttler, Ashton Turner, Sanju Samson (wk), Rahul Tripathi, Ben Stokes, Riyan Parag, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat, Dhawal Kulkarni.

Toss Update: RR won the toss and opted to field first

IPL-2019-PLAYING-XI-MIvRR

Focus will be on

Mumbai Indians: Jasprit Bumrah

With Jasprit Bumrah not able to prove his prowess for Mumbai Indians, he might come under scanner as he could only pick up six wickets from six matches he played. He had bowled 22.4 overs so far and leaked 164 runs. Considered to be one of the best death bowlers our country has produced, he failed to pick up a single wicket in the six matches he played for the Mumbai franchise. His consistency has been questioned in the IPL as last year as well the pacer couldn’t impress the top honchos of Indians.

Rajasthan Royals: Ajinkya Rahane

Royals skipper Ajinkya Rahane himself is in a stir because of his inconsistent. But, his inconsistency kept on creeping up the collapse of top order when the opener is played on top. The broader perspective suggests that the right-hander not being in form had piled up misery on Royals. This would be the right time for Rahane to prove his prowess put his clan on a winning track.