MI vs RR Head to Head, Playing XI, Preview, Where to Watch on TV, Online, and Live Streaming Details

They both have been a part of the illustrious league since its inception, but the Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals have scripted contrasting tales in the IPL. There’s one with an unparalleled five titles to their name, and then the other, who staked a claim on it at the earliest – in 2008 – but have little to nothing to show in the years that have followed.

The Royals did, however, correct some of their past mistakes at the auction table this time around, and look stronger than they ever have. With hardly any apparent weakness in their unit barring the lack of a reliable all-rounder, they made a rollicking start to their campaign with a comprehensive 61-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opener.

It was the perfect game for them: the openers Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal provided a flying start, Sanju Samson and Devdutt Padikkal maintained the tempo, and finishers Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag provided a blazing close as the Royals notched up a massive 210/6 before the bowlers choked and forced the opposition into submission.

Mumbai, on the other hand, lived up to their reputation of being slow starters and extended their opening day woes – the four-wicket loss against the Delhi Capitals was their tenth loss on the bounce in a season opener, with that streak only swelling up since 2013.

However, the margin of Delhi’s victory – they chased 177 with ten balls to spare – nearly belies the fact Mumbai had the game in their grip for a considerable part. They had Delhi reduced to 72/5 at a stage but a dramatic lower-order rearguard fashioned by Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur coupled with their bowling indiscipline meant that early advantage was squandered.

For all the success they have had in the tournament, Mumbai would remember how things went south in 2021. With two new teams added and competition multiplied, the scope of errors has diminished, much like the luxury of slow starts.

Pitch and conditions

Of the seven games so far this year only once has a target been defended, incidentally the Royals’ attempt against Sunrisers. At the DY Patil Stadium, both games have seen chasing sides ending on the right side, and that, by a comfortable margin. That said, the significance of dew will be negligible as this is a day game.

Playing combinations for MI vs RR

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai’s middle-order stocks will go a good notch or three up with the return of a familiar and proven performer in Suryakumar Yadav. He sat out against the Capitals thanks to a hairline thumb fracture he picked against West Indies in February. Ishan Kishan, who took a hit on his toe by a Shardul Thakur yorker, has been cleared.

Meanwhile, Mumbai will desperately want Jasprit Bumrah to get back to his ways after an uncharacteristically expensive and wicketless outing in the last game. It remains to be seen if Daniel Sams, who gave runs at a whopping 14.20 against the Capitals, retain his spot. Should he not, there are the likes of Riley Meredith and Fabian Allen who can get a look-in.

Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Tim David, Daniel Sams/Riley Meredith, Murugan Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Tymal Mills, Basil Thampi

Rajasthan Royals 

While tinkering with the winning combination will be against conventional wisdom, the Royals might be forced to slot James Neesham in for Nathan Coulter-Nile, who injured himself before leaving the field in the last game. Coulter-Nile did little to warrant a spot anyway, though – he leaked 48 runs in three overs.

Predicted XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Nathan Coulter-Nile/James Neesham, Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna

MI vs RR Head-to-Head

Played – 25 | Mumbai Indians – 13 | Rajasthan Royals – 11 | N/R – 1

MI vs RR Broadcast Details

Match Timings – 03:30 PM IST

TV – Star Sports Network

Live Streaming – Disney+Hotstar