Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
MI vs RR Preview Dream11. Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals Preview Dream11 Prediction
Match 27 sees two sides with a tight head-to-head record go at it. However, fortunes have been a contrast in IPL 2019, with one side looking to continue their push for the playoffs, with the other needing to lift their spirits.
Mumbai Indians have not played at their best yet in IPL 2019. However, it is they with three straight wins, sitting in third place with a chance to leapfrog KKR into second. Stand-skipper Kieron Pollard played an innings to remember in an outstanding chase vs KXIP, and with Rohit Sharma set to return, MI can look to build their confidence further. However, they will want to click as a unit, as one or two players have got them out of trouble consistently. While this is testament to their depth, they will want more as a team.
Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, continue to underwhelm. Controversy continues to follow them, as does a mixture of the very good and very bad that has haunted their campaign so far. With only RCB below them on the table, RR are now in must-win territory, given six sides are now realistically in the fight for four spots. Will they make further personnel changes, such as not having both Ajinkya Rahane and Steve Smith in their top order? How will Ben Stokes recover after another fatal final over in India? RR have to step up against a side building some momentum.
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Key to a MI win
Despite three straight wins, MI still aren’t quite getting the output required from most of their top order. There were plenty of unconverted starts vs KXIP, which put the onus on Kieron Pollard to play a big innings. He did, but MI can’t rely on Pollard or Hardik Pandya magic all the time, which puts onus on Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan and the returning Rohit Sharma to get MI off to a fine start. With Quinton de Kock in up-and-down form, MI could look at bringing Evin Lewis in, setting up a platform for Pollard and the Pandya brothers to go big in the final overs. Against RR’s inconsistent bowling, MI certainly have it in them to reach 200 if they get strong contributions from the top down.
Also, can MI’s bowlers get the better of a struggling RR batting line up? RR still aren’t sure of their best combination, but you get the feeling they will throw caution to the wind at the Wankhede. RR attempted to do that vs CSK, but lost regular wickets along the way, which is what MI need to strive for. They were on the end of a Gayle-Rahul storm last game, so the early wicket of the dangerous Jos Buttler – who is looking to fire – will be crucial to the cause.
Key to a RR win
RR may very well change their strategy of both Rahane and Smith in the top order. Ajinkya Rahane looked promising last game vs CSK, whereas Smith still seems to be finding his timing and fluency. However, with their season on life support, RR will need to make big decisions. One of them could be bringing Ashton Turner in, as they need some impetus in their innings. With Shreyas Gopal and Jofra Archer showing they can wield the willow down the order, RR desperately need more from the likes of Jos Buttler, Ajinkya Rahane, Sanju Samson and Ben Stokes to get a good score on what is a very good pitch at the Wankhede. Can Buttler repeat his heroics from IPL 2018, where he made a fine 94* on this ground to deliver victory for RR?
Also, RR can hold hope in the fact they dismantled CSK’s top order last game. They restricted them to 24/4 thanks to some brilliant bowling and catching, but then lost their way. Against a MI top order still seeking consistency, RR have the opportunity to get early inroads courtesy of tight line and length bowling. Dhawal Kulkarni got the ball swinging last time out, and Jaydev Unadkat made a good start. If they, along with Jofra Archer, can repeat it, RR can have some hope that they can target the likes of Pollard and Hardik Pandya, with a focus on executing their yorkers against them. Can RR put together a big bowling and fielding effort?
Possible Playing 11
Rohit Sharma is set to return for MI, and will replace Siddhesh Lad. Also, there is a chance Evin Lewis will replace Quinton de Kock, with Ishan Kishan to take up the gloves.
MI: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Quinton de Kock/Evin Lewis, 3. Suryakumar Yadav, 4. Kieron Pollard, 5. Ishan Kishan (wk), 6. Hardik Pandya, 7. Krunal Pandya, 8. Alzarri Joseph, 9. Rahul Chahar, 10. Jasprit Bumrah, 11. Jason Behrendorff
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Steve Smith out, Ashton Turner in? RR could go in with this approach, given Smith is striking at not much more than 100 in IPL 2019.
RR: 1. Ajinkya Rahane (c), 2. Jos Buttler (wk), 3. Sanju Samson, 4. Steve Smith/Ashton Turner, 5. Rahul Tripathi, 6. Ben Stokes, 7. Jofra Archer, 8. Shreyas Gopal, 9. Riyan Parag, 10. Jaydev Unadkat, 11. Dhawal Kulkarni
Dream11 Prediction
Also read: What are your thoughts on Dream11 changing their deadline time?
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Stats and Facts
- Head-to-head: Matches 18, MI 10, RR 8.
- RR beat MI twice in IPL 2018.
- RR concede 11.5 an over in the death overs in IPL 2019. Pollard and Pandya could be damaging in this period.
- MI are set to play their 200th match. They will be first T20 team to reach this mark.
Match Prediction
RR have it in them to compete well, but MI’s depth and the fact they are at home will hold them in good stead.
MI to win.
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