Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2021 Match 51: RR vs MI Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | MI vs RR Dream11 Prediction Today | Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians Key Players | Sharjah Pitch Report

For the entirety of IPL 2021, fans and pundits have been waiting for Mumbai Indians to find their best form. However, as each match has passed by, it has become crystal clear that the MI side of 2021, despite containing a very similar XI, has looked so different to the title-winning side of 2020.

Now, this is their final chance, and they need to win by a good margin. This looks unlikely given the way Rohit Sharma’s team has been performing this season, but their significant potential remains. They arguably have the highest ceiling of any of the four teams vying for that final playoffs spot, but whether they can flick the switch and produce the goods remains to be seen.

So, what an opportunity this is for Rajasthan Royals. The Royals, courtesy of Yashasvi Jaiswal and the returning Shivam Dube, produced a superb run-chase over high-flying Chennai Super Kings on the weekend. As a result, their fate is in their own hands, as two victories in their last two games will guarantee a playoffs appearance.

The talent is there for the Royals. However, it remains to be seen if they can execute in the crunch moments this week. They have a record over MI in recent seasons, with onus on the Indian and overseas talent to perform here to give the Royals a playoffs qualification match against KKR later this week.

Also read: Take a look at some IPL predictions before the UAE leg and compare them with actual events

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Rajasthan Royals:

• Yashasvi Jaiswal has been brilliant in the UAE leg. He has struck scores of 49 (36), 5 (4), 36 (23), 31 (22) and 50 (21). How he adjusts to the slow Sharjah pitch will be interesting to see.
• Evin Lewis will also be key against his former franchise. Like Jaiswal, Lewis has been in good form in the UAE leg: 36 (21), 6 (4), 58 (37) and 27 (12). If he can put the pressure on in the powerplay, MI may not have the confidence and form to bounce back.
• Sanju Samson has had a fine season (12 inns, 480 runs, avg. 48.80, SR 139.53) and has a fine record against MI (15 inns, 527 runs, avg. 37.64, SR 146.80). In fact, no player has more runs in MI-RR matches than the RR skipper.
• Also, Samson loves batting at Sharjah, with three half-centuries in four matches (216 runs, avg. 54.00, SR 184.62). However, the surface is much slower this season, so how Samson adjusts will be key.
• Can Shivam Dube follow up his brilliant 64* off 42 balls vs CSK? He struck 35 off 31 balls vs MI earlier this season, but it was a laborous innings that saw him dropped from the team afterwards. Key player.
• Rahul Tewatia strikes every 13.50 deliveries at Sharjah. Given MI have struggled in the middle overs this season, Tewatia, who is coming off a three-wicket haul vs CSK, could prove to be a key bowler today.
• Watch out for Mustafizur Rahman’s cutters on a slow pitch. MI have also struggled at the death, so the Fizz will be seeking wickets at the backend to slow MI’s progress. He has taken five wickets vs MI at an average of 23.80 and strike rate of 15.80, and will be looking to bounce back after a tough outing vs CSK (0/51 off four overs).

Mumbai Indians:

• Cometh the hour, cometh the captain. Skipper Rohit Sharma must deliver in a time of need for Mumbai. He will have to improve on a sub-par record vs RR, with 371 runs in 18 matches at an average of just 20.61 (strike rate 126.19).
• Also, Rohit has a poor record at Sharjah, with just 21 runs in four matches at an average of 5.25. Can he turn these numbers around today?
• Quinton de Kock struck 70* off 50 balls vs RR earlier this season. He has a fine overall record for MI vs RR, with 245 runs in five matches at an average of 61.25 and strike rate of 145.83.
• It has been starts galore for QdK in the UAE leg (17, 55, 24, 27, 19), and Mumbai needs their dynamic left-hander to carry on. He has 173 runs in five matches at Sharjah at an average of 43.25 and strike rate of 132.06.
• It has been a season to forget for Suryakumar Yadav, but he will be looking to build on time in the middle in his last game vs DC (33 off 26 balls). He has an outstanding record vs RR (7 inns, 295 runs, avg. 49.17, SR 144.61), so MI fans will be hoping today is the day he finds his best touch.
• Hardik Pandya has slammed 181 runs in six innings vs RR at an average of 60.33 and strike rate of 203.37. Given the Sharjah pitch has been home to low-scoring matches this season, any strong cameo from Hardik can shift the match in MI’s favour.
• Jasprit Bumrah was brilliant against RR earlier this season (1/15 off four overs). He has 12 wickets in nine matches overall vs RR at an average of 19.33 and economy rate of 6.82. Also, Bumrah has five wickets in three matches on this ground (avg. 19, SR 14.40).
• Trent Boult has taken seven wickets in just 12 overs at Sharjah (strike rate of 10.29). Also, he has nine wickets in seven career matches vs RR at an average of 23.67 and strike rate of 17.33.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 26, MI 13, RR 12, N/R 1.
• Rajasthan have won five of the last seven meetings with Mumbai.
• David Miller and Glenn Phillips could be crucial for RR today. Miller has a strong record vs MI, with 243 runs in 12 matches at an average of 34.71 and strike rate of 141.28. Phillips is having a strong year in T20s, with 1,277 runs in 46 matches at an average of 36.49 and strike rate of 153.49.
• RR isn’t one of Kieron Pollard’s favourite opponents. In 18 innings against them, Pollard has scored 373 runs at an average of 24.87 and strike rate of 140.23. However, Pollard is a player who can produce in times of need.
• Also, Pollard does have 15 wickets in 13 matches vs RR. So, Rohit could look to throw the ball to Pollard to bowl into the slow Sharjah surface.

Possible Playing 11

Rajasthan Royals: 1. Evin Lewis, 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3. Sanju Samson (c & wk), 4. Shivam Dube, 5. Glenn Phillips, 6. David Miller, 7. Rahul Tewatia, 8. Mayank Markande, 9. Karthik Tyagi, 10. Akash Singh, 11. Mustafizur Rahman

Mumbai Indians: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Quinton de Kock (wk), 3. Suryakumar Yadav, 4. Saurabh Tiwary/Ishan Kishan, 5. Hardik Pandya, 6. Kieron Pollard, 7. Krunal Pandya, 8. Nathan Coulter-Nile, 9. Jayant Yadav/Rahul Chahar, 10. Trent Boult, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Sharjah Pitch Report and Weather

Sharjah has been slow and low this season, with RCB, courtesy of Maxwell, defying the conditions last game to post over 160. The average first innings score on this ground this season is 139.17, with the chasing team winning four of the six matches.

The forecast is for more warm and clear weather in Sharjah.

Dream11 Prediction

Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction

Base team:

• Wicket-keepers: Sanju Samson, Quinton de Kock
• Batsmen: Suryakumar Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal
• All-rounders: Rahul Tewatia
• Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mustafizur Rahman

Also read: Fan2Play vs Dream11 – What’s the difference?

Match Prediction

It’s crunch time. Mumbai have not got going all season, while Rajasthan will be looking to build on a fabulous run chase vs CSK. One gets the feeling that Rajasthan will come into this match with no fear and end Mumbai’s tough season.