(Info4now, October 5, 2021)– If the big Monday game between Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals was one of nothing to change the table line, today’s RR vs MI contest is huge in that regard. One of the teams to ensure elimination and the other to fight for qualification. It’s good to see that the table is still open with only 6 league matches to be played. But the scenario is to change very quickly in two days.
Back to today’s game, Mumbai Indians are not at home with their batting line-up and Rajasthan have mixed experiences with both batting and bowling. No doubt, Rajasthan Royals have managed a number of good games to finish in their favour. But against Mumbai Indians, in a must win game, it’s really tough to show that temperament. On the other hand, Mumbai Indians are just missing a craze to determine their journey. What affects them much is an unexpected collapse of the young middle order.
Preview of Match 51, RR vs MI
For Mumbai Indians, Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma need to spend more time at the crease. They have to take the pressure off the middle order. Suryakumar Yadav and Krunal Pandya have not yet proved to be consistent. Hardik Pandya will probably get back to his rhythm today. In Delhi, Kyron Pollard smashed a terrific knock to win over a promising Super Kings. It’s the game where he has to make a comeback to offer his team a hope for qualification. In the bowling department, Indians don’t have much more variations. With left-arm orthodox Pandya, Jayant Yadav will be handy against the left hand strikers of the Royal. The pace attack of Mumbai is neat and experienced.
Can Rajasthan take on Mumbai with an edge in their favour? With their bowling, it’s tough to say. They have Mustafizur and Sakariya to take the new ball. Mayank Markande, Shreyas Gopal and Rahul Tewatia will have the charge of the spin. But in execution, this unit is a little bit behind the opposition. But in batting, they, many a time, have performed exceptionally and therefore they should target Mumbai’s pace attack. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Evin Lewis have to utilise the field restriction. It’s not easy against a disciplined attack. They have to stay on the wicket as Sanju Samson at No 3 is inconsistent. Samson is elegant enough with his exquisite timing of white ball. But being a No. 3 spot batsman, he has to take care of his contribution. Dube, Miller and Tewatia to follow and David Miller still has not made any visible impression in the second leg. If the opportunity comes, he should utilise it to its best.
To Conclude
A clear fifty-fifty match between Mumbai and Rajasthan to be held at Sharjah and it absolutely opposes the assessment of the venue as a batting heaven this season. In 2020, Sharjah produced huge runs with the bowlers having less things to do against a short ground. This season, the wicket started working either way and the conventional slowness of Sharjah reappears to offer the bowlers important assistance. It’s fine to bat first here, but a few teams still preferred to bowl. Although the wicket is getting slower in the course of the game, Rajasthan might bowl first, while Mumbai can defend.