Saturday brings us two matches first of them is between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals. The total distance between Mumbai and Jaipur is 1155 km and the difference between Mumbai and Jaipur on the points table of IPL is of 3 positions. While Mumbai Indians is 3rd on the list and Rajasthan Royals is placed on the 7th position. They are on the 7th position because Royal Challengers Bangalore has not been able to win a single match this season.
Rohit Sharma will be back in today’s game for Mumbai Indians after he was rested in the previous game. Kieron Pollard played one of his best knocks in the IPL as a stand-in captain. For Mumbai Indians Pollard’s form was a serious question and a 31 ball 81 was the answer to all the questions. Pandya brothers are playing the role of all-rounders very well, Jasprit Bumrah is their go-to bowler in every situation and Alzarri Joseph’s performance allows him to play in place of Lasith Malinga. Most of the problems for Mumbai Indians has been answered, though there are certain questions lying here and there which can be answered in the next few games. Mumbai Indians is known for their slow start and they have maintained their reputation this season too in terms of the start.
Rajasthan Royals have many problems to solve. This is not the first time that they have faced such situations in IPL. This thing puts up a question on their auction strategy. They have bought some of the best talents in the world but their replacement is not present in the team. Apart from Jos Buttler, no other player from this line-up has been able to display some extraordinary skills. Steven Smith and Ajinkya Rahane both are out of form and the thing is they both play in the top 3 positions. When your top order is not playing well then all the pressure comes to the middle order and Rajasthan Royals doesn’t have a player in the middle order who can absorb this pressure and perform well.
Wankhede’s wicket is known for some high scoring matches. This match is being played in the afternoon hence team batting first will have an eventual advantage over the other team. The strategy should be simple whoever wins the toss should put up a good total on the board and then bowlers can make the batsman dance to their tune in the second half.
Only one change is expected from Mumbai Indians while Rajasthan Royals can make 2-3 changes.
