Mumbai Indians face Rajasthan Royals in crunch match today
mumbai — Having notched up three straight wins after a string of losses, Mumbai Indians would be looking to defeat Rajasthan Royals and inch closer to a playoffs berth when the two sides face each other in an Indian Premier League encounter on Sunday.
It has been a dramatic turnaround for the Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians after a string of losses early in the tournament. The two back-to-back wins against Kolkata Knight Riders, especially their massive 102 run win in Kolkata, would have boosted their confidence. Courtesy that win, MI are on the fourth spot with 10 points from 11 games.
Rajasthan Royals are also on 10 points from 11 matches and both sides know they would be playing a do-or-die match on Sunday.
The losing side on Sunday will be virtually out of the reckoning for a playoff berth. For MI, barring Evin Lewis, their batting has clicked in the latter half of the tournament. Suryakumar Yadav has been in the form of his life and giving MI a solid start time and again but he needs support from Lewis.
Skipper Rohit has only one knock to cherish till now — his match winning 94 against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Wankhede Stadium — but apart from that he has not performed up to his standard and he would be keen to notch up a big one.
The problem for MI has been their inconsistent middle order, but the blazing half century by rookie stumper Ishan Kishan has given relief to coach Mahela Jayawardene.
If Yadav, Rohit, Lewis, Ishan and JP Duminy go all guns blazing it would be difficult to stop them. Add to it the firepower of Ben Cutting and Krunal and Hardik Pan- dya, their batting can be devastating. After flying starts, MI often lose their way in the middle and their batters will have to make amends on this aspect if they want to have a shot at playoff berth.
On the bowling front, young leggie Mayank Markande has been the find of the season and his role will be crucial if the likes of rampaging Jos Buttler and other Rajasthan batters are to be restricted.
Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik, Mitchell McClenaghan, Cutting and Krunal will have to hit the deck. Again, an out of form West Indian Kieron Pollard is likely to sit out.
MI had suffered five losses in their first six games in 2015, but still went on to clinch the title. They must be hoping they can turn the tables this time around too.
For Rajasthan Royals, the form of opener Butler has been the biggest positive. But their out-of-form skipper Ajinkya Rahane will need to pull his socks up. Others like Sanju Samson, Stuart Binny and Rahul Tripathi need to chip in and back Buttler.
Englishman Ben Strokes has yet to live up to expectations and the costly price tag, and so is Saurashtra pacer Jaydev Unadkat.
The Rajasthan bowlers, who went for runs against the Chennai Super Kings, will have to get their act right. It will be a do-or-die battle for both the teams and a win would certainly boost their chances of reaching the playoffs.