With the way the table is languishing right now, MI and RR might confirm a place in the playoffs by sneaking into that fourth position if they can win their final two games. That would be a bare minimum for either of these teams to get into the final four stages, as only once in the tournament history a team managed to enter playoffs with just 12 points.
The Royals are coming into this game after a win that should boost their morale twice as much as any other performance this season. Against the high-flying Chennai Super Kings, youngsters Yeshasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube chipped in with half-centuries to keep the side in contention to go through.
While the Mumbai Indians’ form has remained shaky, it’s hard to deny their overall brilliance and decent squad depth. This is pretty much the same side that won two Premier League titles in a row, and maybe they are lagging far behind in their hunt for a third on the trot, but to take them for granted would prove to be mortifying.
MI have won just a single game before the start of this game in UAE, making their life a lot more difficult to enter the playoffs. They certainly are not in contention to finish in the top 2, which means they have to go through the Eliminator to lay hands on the trophy.
Only once in the last 11 seasons has a side won the IPL title despite not finishing in the top two. Fortune doesn’t favour any of these sides in particular, but they need their big players to step up more than ever before. Both these sides have provided some fantastic contests over the years, most memorable one being the 2014 game at the Wankhede, where Rohit’s Mumbai pipped Watson’s Rajasthan for a playoff berth.
Key Player
Having been decimated by experts and fans over the years for his inconsistency, Sanju Samson finally seems to have arrived in an upgraded version this season. He scored 480 runs in 12 knocks at a strike-rate just shy of 140. He has been getting starts consistently, which allows Evin Lewis and Yeshaswi Jaiswal to go all-out against the bowlers.
Evin Lewis’ inclusion in the side provided a great power-packed option for the Royals’ batting order, and he chipped in with 127 runs in four knocks at a strike-rate of 171.62. He hasn’t scored a big one yet, but his form has remained very positive for the side.
It is time for Rohit Sharma to step in for the Mumbai Indians, as the skipper has been their best batter this edition. He has scored 341 runs in 11 innings for the side, and with his middle order not in the best of form, the responsibility falls on his shoulders to pull a rabbit from the hat. Since coming to UAE, he scored just 94 runs in four knocks, but is known to deliver in crunch situations like this.
In the last encounter between Rajasthan and Mumbai, Jasprit Bumrah chipped in with a spell of 1/15 in 4 overs, where Rajasthan were scoring at over 8.5. He has picked up 17 wickets for the side, and despite having the odd bad game, one can rely on him to provide a good spell.
Arguably the greatest match-winner in IPL history, Kieron Pollard is a player one can never put a value on. After all these years, he continues to chip in with major contributions, and despite batting lower down the order, he has garnered 232 runs this season at a strike-rate in excess of 150 this edition.
Prediction
Form is in Rajasthan’s favour, and perhaps there is decent indication to suggest they might do a better job on the day. But their batting lineup, besides Samson, hasn’t been consistent in the UAE. Considering the quality of Mumbai’s bowling attack, there is a good chance they might win this all-important duel, post which the game could be a formality.
Mumbai Indians might pip the Rajasthan Royals sheerly going by the experience factor. They have players in their ranks who have dealt with such situations in the same camp multiple times, making them top contenders to win this crucial contest.
