Indian Premier League 2019 Match 36, Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

The momentum lies with Mumbai Indians after their comprehensive win – by 40 runs – against erstwhile second-ranked Delhi Capitals at Feroz Shah Kotla. Mumbai displaced Delhi at the second spot, and are now ready to take on Rajasthan Royals at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, in Match 36 of IPL 2019.

The teams have met once in the tournament, at Wankhede Stadium, where Rajasthan managed to chase down 188 in the last over. That, however, remains one of their two wins in the tournament.

Mumbai were absolutely clinical against Delhi on a difficult pitch. Their batsmen grafted but never let the ball dominate them. They posted 168/6 after Krunal (37* in 26 balls) and Hardik (32 in 15) Pandya went after the bowling at the end.

They did not lose nerve after the Delhi openers added 49 in 39 balls. Rahul Chahar (4-0-19-3) provided crucial breakthroughs, and Jasprit Bumrah (4-0-18-2) was almost impossible to score off.

After the win against Mumbai, Rajasthan were brought down to the ground quickly by Kings XI Punjab. They shuffled their batting order, pushing Rahul Tripathi to the top as Ajinkya Rahane slid down to four, while Ashton Turner replaced Steven Smith. But their batsmen simply did not have enough firepower to chase down 183.

Time is running out for Rajasthan, and it is crucial that they win here.

Head to head

Mumbai hold a 11-10 lead over Rajasthan whenever the sides have clashed. However, as mentioned above, Rajasthan had won at Wankhede earlier this season.

Rohit Sharma (47 in 32 balls) and Quinton de Kock (81 in 52) had added 96 for the first wicket that day, off 61 balls, as Mumbai piled up 187/5. Jofra Archer took 3/39.

Jos Buttler set up the chase with a 43-ball 89 even as Krunal (3/34) and Bumrah (2/23) tried to put brakes on the onslaught. Rajasthan stuttered at the end, slipping from 170/2 to 174/6, before reaching home.

Key players

Rahul Tripathi (Rajasthan Royals): One cannot help but wonder whether Rajasthan’s fortunes would have changed had they made the most of Tripathi. He opened batting only in Rajasthan’s most recent match, against Punjab, and got a brisk fifty. If Rajasthan persist with him at the top, he may be one to look out for.

Quinton de Kock (Mumbai Indians): De Kock became the first Mumbai batsman to break into the top five in IPL 2019. His tally of 313 runs at a strike rate of 137, combined with 12 catches, makes him one of the most dangerous cricketers in this edition.

Rajasthan Royals: Rahul Tripathi, Jos Buttler (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Ajinkya Rahane (c), Ashton Turner, Jofra Archer, Stuart Binny, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat, Ish Sodhi, Dhawal Kulkarni.

Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ben Cutting, Suryakumar Yadav, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Jayant Yadav, Rahul Chahar, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah.

Prediction

Mumbai to win despite Rajasthan’s home advantage.