Rajasthan Royals are all set to lock horns against Mumbai Indians to remain alive in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday.
Royals are currently seventh in the points table, having picked four points from eight matches. In their last encounter, the Ajinkya Rahane-led side lost to Kings XI Punjab by 12 runs, a match they threw away chasing 183 for victory after being in the chase till the halfway mark. Royals' batting collapses have cost them as the team is too dependent on Jos Buttler to score runs quickly.
The likes of Rahane and Steve Smith haven't really got going and Sanju Samson's form too, has dipped after the hundred he scored against Sunrisers Hyderabad last month.
The only shining stone in batting for Rajasthan Royals this year is Englishman Jos Buttler, who is performing consistently well for the franchise.
Smith did not play the last game and is expected to be back for this one with Ashton Turner, who made his debut against Punjab, failing to make any impact.
On the other side, Mumbai Indians are riding high on Hardik Pandya power-hitting who is leading his team toward many victories this season.
While the collective effort from MI bowlers are also a plus point for the three-time IPL champions this year.
What to expect and Match Prediction-
Mumbai Indians will enter the Sawai Mansingh Stadium as the favourites to win the clash against dejected Rajasthan Royals. The hosts need to filter their middle-order options to challenge Mumbai Indians.
Predicted Playing XIs-
Probable Playing XI of Mumbai Indians- Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Jayant Yadav, Rahul Chahar, Ben Cutting, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah
Probable Playing XI of Rajasthan Royals- Ajinkya Rahane (c), Dhawal Kulkarni, Stuart Binny, Jos Buttler, Jaydev Unadkat, Sanju Samson (wk), Ben Stokes, Ish Sodhi, Rahul Tripathi, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer
(With agency inputs)
