Mumbai Indians look for 3rd consecutive win as they take on floundering Rajasthan Royals

The Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals could not have any different trajectories in the Dream11 IPL 2020. While Mumbai lost 2 of their first 3 games, they have recovered handsomely, winnings two games on the bounce since then. The Royals on the other hand started off with two wins in as many games but have floundered in their next two. While the Mumbai Indians will be looking to go top again with a win, the Royals need a win to stem the rot.

It is no surprise that the fortunes of the Royals have coincided with the performances of their top 3. Steve Smith and Sanju Samson have failed to score big in their last two fixtures, and the team has lost both those games. Jos Buttler is yet to come to the party, and the Royals will be hoping that tonight will be the night. RR will be encouraged by the fight shown by their relatively inexperienced middle-order who staged a commendable recovery from losing their top 3 in the powerplay against RCB. Mahipal Lomror, playing his first game of the season showed he is more than capable with the bat, while Rahul Tewatia demonstrated more of his big-hitting capabilities.

Except for Jofra Archer, the Royals’ bowling wears a think outlook. From the other end, Archer has not had any substantial support with his with the other fast bowlers in Jaydev Unadkat, Tom Curran, and Ankit Rajpoot going for over 10-an-over combined and accounting for only 6 wickets from 4 games in 31 overs. The spin bowling department is of little encouragement too with the inexperience of Shreyas Gopal, Rahul Tewatia, and Riyan Parag not being able to tie down their opposition and pick wickets at crucial junctures.

Things seem to be falling in place well for the Mumbai Indians on the other hand. Quinton de Kock finally hit some form in their previous game, scoring 67 against the Sunrisers. The biggest plus however for the Mumbai Indians would be the exploits of Kieron Pollard who in his last 3 games has shown exactly what has made him one of the most feared T20 batsmen in the world. Pollard and Hardik Pandya have left carnage in their wake at the death, while Krunal Pandya also chipped in with a 4-ball 20 at Sharjah. In their past 3 games, the last 4 overs of their batting innings, Mumbai have scored at an unimaginable rate of 17.17 runs per over, amassing 206 runs from 12 overs. Kieron Pollard has fired in all those games.

Mumbai’s bowlers appear to have hit form too. They became the first team to successfully restrict their opponents to a score of less than 200 at Sharjah in Dream11 IPL 2020 in their victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Their overseas bowling pair of Trent Boult and James Pattinson were instrumental in achieving that with combined figures of 4/57 from 8 overs at a venue where getting hit for a six is no more an event but an inevitability. Their spinners have had an impact at different stages of the tournament, and one can never discount Jasprit Bumrah.

Rajasthan Royals have looked like fish out of water ever since they have had to move out of the smaller outfields of Sharjah. With Mumbai already acclimatized well to the challenges of Abu Dhabi, and with a more adaptable team, the Royals will have to channel their underdog will to overcome the mighty Mumbai challenge.