IPl 2019: Match 36, RR vs MI, Preview: Will Mumbai be able to break the 'Royal' hoodoo in Jaipur?

Losing their previous match against Royals, Mumbai Indians would aim to beat Ajinkya's boys in Jaipur.

Published - 19 Apr 2019, 18:17 IST | Updated - 19 Apr 2019, 18:17 IST

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Perish or relish. These words aptly suit Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) situation in the ongoing IPL. The Rajasthan side is on the brink of getting wiped off or climbing up the ladder. It is mandatory for Royals to win rest of the six matches which will start from the point when they take on Mumbai Indians (MI) at Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday.

Mumbai’s run riot has been a bliss for the franchise fans so far. They are on the second spot with six wins of nine matches. But, it was a checkmate moment when Royals defeated Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium a week ago.

It’s like, before even healing the wound, MI have to face RR for the second time that too at the latter’s home ground. Still, the memories of Jos Buttler’s belligerent 89, which helped Royals thrash Mumbai, is fresh for the Mumbai side. Will in-form Mumbai Indians be successful in defeating Royals? But, after losing to Royals, Mumbai Indians won two back-to-back matches against RCB and DC. But, Ajinkya’s men lost to Kings XI Punjab in their previous match.

Team Combinations

Rajasthan Royals

Royals will go with the same team with which they played KXIP. Jofra Archer and Rahul Tripathi stood out with their brilliant performances against Kings XI. But, the batting order should be tinkered a bit to romp home with a win. While Rahul Tripathi should continue opening the innings, Rahane should bat at three, unlike the last match. With the ball, it has been a good show by Archer in the last two matches. The English quick snared three wickets in the last two matches.

Probable XI: Ajinkya Rahane (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Sanju Samson, Ashton Turner, Rahul Tripathi, Stuart Binny, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat, Ish Sodhi.

Mumbai Indians

So far it has been a far from a satisfactory performance by the Mumbai side. There hasn’t been much dwindling with the playing XI by MI honchos. Only they have been changing pacers in one or two instances. Top order in batting has been good and middle order too won a couple of matches for the IPL juggernauts. There is a possibility of bringing back Jason Beherendorff in place of Ben Cutting. Else the team will remain the same.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Rahul Chahar, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah, Ben Cutting/Jason Behrendorff.

Focus will be on

Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler

When Jofra Archer is being instrumental at his pace, a lot more depends on Jos Buttler to handle batting section. His outstanding knock of 89 from 43 balls at Wankhede proved his prowess. Now Mumbai’s bowling department would want to destroy the English man’s innings by bailing him out early. So, Jos Buttler would be a star attraction if he does talking with his willow this time again.

Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya

With his monster-like stance and hard-hitting skills, Hardik Pandya has instilled a lot of inferiority in many bowlers so far. From a good all-rounder to a game-changing all-rounder, Hardik has taken a lot of beating by life for this transformation. With his back-to-back belligerent performances, he had become the most talked cricket this IPL. Now Mumbai Indians depends a lot on Hardik.