MI vs RR Match Prediction: Mumbai Indians will aim to capitalize on home advantage as they take on the formidable Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match 14 on Monday evening. The clash will unfold at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, kicking off at 07:30 PM (IST). MI finds themselves at the bottom of the IPL table, while RR has the chance to ascend to the summit with a victory in this encounter. Therefore, it’s a crucial battle for both teams, with everything at stake.
Match Preview
Mumbai Indians are eager to turn their season around after suffering back-to-back losses. Their bowlers have been their Achilles’ heel thus far, with the recent match against Sunrisers Hyderabad serving as a wake-up call for Hardik Pandya. SRH shattered all batting records in that game, posting a daunting 277/3, with two of their batsmen achieving the quickest half-centuries. This match truly exposed the vulnerabilities in MI’s bowling lineup, highlighting the urgent need for improvement in that department.
On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals have started the season on a high note, clinching victory in their first two matches and now have the opportunity to climb to the top of the power rankings with a win in this encounter. However, RR’s past experience serves as a cautionary tale, as they began last season with three wins in the first four games but then faltered, ultimately missing out on the playoffs.
MI vs RR Match Details
Wankhede Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch at Wankhede Stadium has been a paradise for batsmen from all over the world. It’s a flat wicket with little to no assistance for the bowlers. Moreover, the last season witnessed an increase in the first-inning average score, exceeding 190 runs. That’s a significant return, and one can anticipate the team batting first to score over 170 runs here. If that’s not the scenario, then the chase should be relatively straightforward for the team batting second.
MI vs RR Head-To-Head Record
This will be the 30th meeting between the perennial IPL rivals. In the previous 29 games, Mumbai won 16 times, while Rajasthan Royals managed to win in 13 of those games. So neither team is actually dominating this particular fixture, and both will head into this game with confidence running through their veins.
In addition, the last fixture went Mumbai Indians’ way, and it was at Wankhede Stadium. Despite Rajasthan posting 212/7 in 20 overs, Mumbai chased down the target in 19.3 overs. Surkyakumar Yadav (55 off 29), Cameron Green (44 off 26) and Tim David (45 off 14) all made telling contributions.
Last Meeting Between MI vs RR
RR: 212/7
MI:214/4
MI vs RR Predicted Playing 11:
Mumbai Indians Predicted Playing XI
Ishan Kishan (wk)
Rohit Sharma
Naman Dhir
Tilak Varma
Hardik Pandya (C)
Tim David
Romario Shepherd
Piyush Chawla
Gerald Coetzee
Jasprit Bumrah
Kwena Maphaka / Dilshan Madushanka
Rajasthan Royals Predicted Playing XI:
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Jos Buttler
Sanju Samson (C)
Riyan Parag
Dhruv Jurel
Shimron Hetmyer
Ravichandran Ashwin
Avesh Khan
Trent Boult
Sandeep Sharma
Yuzvendra Chahal
Best Batters And Bowlers
MI Probable highest scorer: Rohit Sharma
Amidst all the drama surrounding Hardik Pandya and the MI captaincy position, Rohit Sharma has quietly gone about his business. In fact, the veteran looks more dangerous with the bat than he did last season while leading the side. In the two games so far, Rohit has scored a combined 69 runs in just 41 balls, hitting four sixes.
RR Probable Highest Scorer: Yashasvi Jaiswal
The first two games have been a bit of a damp squib for Jaiswal. The young Indian batter could only muster 29 runs in total against LSG and DC. That’s not the kind of return you’d expect from someone who has been at the peak of his game for the past year or so. Sooner or later, he’s going to bounce back with a big score. We’re betting on Jaiswal to score at least in the 30s in the upcoming matches.
MI Probable Best Bowler: Jasprit Bumrah
There’s no bowler in the world who commands respect like Jasprit Bumrah does. However, his performance against the Sunrisers Hyderabad was nothing to write home about, which actually makes him a double-edged sword for the Royals.
RR Probable Best Bowler: Yuzvendra Chahal
On a pitch that unequivocally favors batsmen, the performance of Yuzvendra Chahal’s four overs could prove pivotal. He is a standout bowler in white-ball cricket, possessing an arsenal of tricks to unsettle the Mumbai Indians’ batsmen. Furthermore, he is riding high on an outstanding performance against Delhi Capitals in the previous match, where he claimed 2 wickets in 3 overs while conceding just 19 runs.
Who Will Win Today’s IPL Match Between MI vs RR
The form makes the Rajasthan Royals hands on favorite to win this match because the Royals are unbeaten while MI lost both the matches heading into this encounter. But the games are not decided by the form only. There’s enough quality in Mumbai Indians squad. In fact, if the history of IPL is anything to go by, MI tend to get stronger as the tournament progresses. They are always a slow starter. So considering the home conditions and Google’s win predictor which also favors MI at 55%, with RR being backed at 45%, we back Hardik Pandya and co to win this match.
Match Prediction: MI To Win This Match
Disclaimer: The above match prediction is based on the data and instincts of the writer. While picking players for your team, consider the points mentioned above, and make your own wise decision.
