IPL 2020: Match 45, RR vs MI – RR Predicted Playing XI

Rajasthan Royals have had a forgettable season so far as they have won only four of their eleven games. Their playoffs hopes are not over but they need to win all of their remaining games apart from hoping other results to go in their favour. Their next encounter is against Mumbai, the defending champions and they have been in phenomenal form this season.

RR is still struggling with their team combination and their batting is also not settled. After a dismal outing against SRH in the last game, RR would be hoping for a better result. As MI’s pace bowling is extremely powerful, captain Steve Smith and Jos Buttler need to take responsibility for the Royals.

Here’s the predicted playing XI of RR for Match 45, RR vs MI:-

Openers (Ben Stokes and Robin Uthappa)

Rajasthan’s constant concern has been the opening pair that could trouble them again. Ben Stokes and Robin Uthappa have failed to provide a solid start but the left-right combination is expected to continue. Uthappa hasn’t been in a great form and Stokes has looked uncomfortable while opening the batting.

Middle Order (Sanju Samson, Steve Smith, Jos Buttler and Riyan Parag)

Steve Smith and Jos Buttler have been their most reliable batsmen in the last two seasons but this time they have disappointed mostly. If RR needs to get better of MI’s world-class bowling attack, their role is extremely important in the middle. Smith is expected to anchor the innings while Buttler is their impact player.

Like previous seasons, Sanju Samson started with a bang but after two match-winning fifties, his performance has been below par. As an important pillar of the Rajasthan’s unit, he needs to play some valuable knocks. Riyan Parag has shown promise but the role of a finisher hasn’t suited him much this season. His part will be to continue to provide depth to RR’s batting.

All-rounders (Rahul Tewatia and Jofra Archer)

These two provide the firepower to RR’s inning at the end. Also, they provide four important overs each to strengthen their bowling unit. Tewatia has been in brilliant form in this season with the bat but if he bats at number seven, RR is wasting his purple patch. Jofra Archer is breathing fire with the ball and to trouble a solid batting order of Mumbai, his bowling is extremely important.

Bowlers (Varun Aaron/Ankit Rajpoot, Jaydev Unadkat/Kartik Tyagi and Shreyas Gopal)

Shreyas Gopal has been their lead spinner and he has performed extremely well but in patches. The two Indian pacers have been the weak link of RR’s bowling unit this season and they can tinker these two positions. Varun Aaron and Jaydev Unadkat might get a chance against Mumbai.