Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Another day, another high stakes clash in IPL 2018. With the Sydney, Delhi, Mumbai, Dhaka etc. like traffic logjam in the middle of the table, there are so many possibilities, and two of the teams fighting for a top four spot are in action tonight.
Mumbai Indians have done what they do best – storm into contention out of nowhere. This season, they looked gone, especially after getting bowled out for their equal lowest ever score of 87 against SRH. However, their top order has been superb in leading them to four wins in their last five games, and their bowlers have been SRH-like, not conceding a total of 180+ since April 14th.
Can they keep the momentum going?
Rajasthan Royals are alive in the tournament thanks to some unbelievable wins, with Jos Buttler most recently leading them to a fantastic win against 2nd placed CSK. As England flopped in limited overs cricket, headlined by their massive failure in the 2015 ODI World Cup, Jos Buttler was a player they wished to build their new team around, and they have benefited like RR have in IPL 2018.
Can he fire again, with support from others, to keep RR’s chances alive for another game?
All to play for.
Key to a Mumbai Indians win
MI’s blueprint for success in recent games has been on the back of excellent contributions from their top order and efficient, collaborative bowling performances. The numbers back it up.
MI have won four of their past five matches, and in those victories, each of their top four batsmen (on paper) have stepped up. Suryakumar Yadav, Evin Lewis, Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma have combined for a total of 541 runs across these four matches, at an average of 41.62, and SR of 141.25. These are strong numbers in anyone’s book, and it’s no surprise that it’s helped turn their season around. They need to do the same tonight.
What’s also helped turn their season around is their superb bowling efforts. They have put dot-ball pressure on their opponents on a regular basis, and this, with their top order firing, has led to the familiar rise of MI in May.
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| MI have hit really great form, after thrashing KKR |
Key to a Rajasthan Royals win
CSK were on track for 200+ a couple of nights ago, and RR’s bowling, which has been disappointing on most occasions, held strong to restrict them to 176. They need a similar effort tonight, as the MI top order is in form.
Another key is Jos Buttler. He has now scored four half centuries in a row, and has made the opening position his own. He is capable of getting on top of the efficient MI attack, and if he can get support from the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Ben Stokes, RR have what it takes to set or chase a large total.
Off the back of two straight wins, RR need to be feeling confident. A win here will put them equal with KXIP and KKR, who sit 3rd and 4th respectively.
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| Jos Buttler has made the opening position his own |
Predicted teams
Expect MI to stick with their winning combination.
Mumbai Indians XI: 1. Suryakumar Yadav, 2. Evin Lewis, 3. Rohit Sharma (c), 4. Ishan Kishan (wk), 5. Hardik Pandya, 6. JP Duminy, 7. Krunal Pandya, 8. Ben Cutting, 9. Mitchell McClenaghan, 10. Jasprit Bumrah, 11. Mayank Markande
With RR on a decent run, expect them to also stick with their winning combination.
Rajasthan Royals XI: 1. Ajinkya Rahane (c), 2. Jos Buttler (wk), 3. Sanju Samson, 4. Ben Stokes, 5. Prashant Chopra, 6. Stuart Binny, 7. K Gowtham, 8. Jofra Archer, 9. Shreyas Gopal, 10. Jaydev Unadkat, 11. Ish Sodhi
Stats and Facts
- Head-to-Head: Matches 17, MI 10, RR 7
- MI will move into third position on the table if they win this match, thanks to their superior NRR compared to KXIP and KKR. RR will move to fifth, equal with KXIP and KKR, if they win.
- RR have won just one out of five away from home this season.
- Jos Buttler has contributed 46% of RR’s runs since moving to opener.
- MI have won four of five matches v RR at the Wankhede.
Prediction:
Jos Buttler has been a huge key to RR’s chances, but if he fails, who else will step up? This is my concern with RR at the moment, and MI have a range of players who can step up if needed. Their efficiency with bat and ball in the last few games has been something to behold, and I expect them to continue their run to the playoffs with a win tonight.
MI to go to third on the IPL 2018 table by the end of the night.
