Rajasthan Royals could not have asked for better opponents, come their 14th league match on Sunday; Riyan Parag‘s team will face a struggling Mumbai Indians in Mumbai, in an afternoon clash. The match is important only for RR, as a win can take them to the playoffs, and a loss can very well send them packing.
They perhaps could have qualified earlier, but three consecutive losses just derailed their campaign a bit. But all is not lost for them, if bowling somehow manages to come good. MI, meanwhile are fighting a battle, not to finish in the last position. The key for RR would be to get their combination correct. It appears, that bowling could be bit of an issue for the visitors; batting looks largely sorted.
Top 3 unchangeable
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been exceptional in the IPL this year. He is in real contention for the Orange cap, and has scored 579 in 13 matches, at an SR of 236. It would be interesting to see how he tackles Bumrah, again. On the other hand, Jaiswal has been inconsistent. He has still managed to get 370 runs at an average of 33, but he really needs to apply himself well.
Though Dhruv Jurel has done his job with the bat. 13 matches have fetched him 420 runs, has hit 5 fifties and the SR is decent at 150. So, the top 3 remains just the same.
Ravi Singh has promising domestic record
He played the last match, but failed. And yet Ravi Singh should be persisted with. In his performances for Railways, he has shown, he can score big runs, and at a rapid pace. In 11 matches for his side until now, he has scored 299 runs, which have come at a strike rate of 174. Though he could be used as a finisher, and bat after Riyan Parag and Donovan Ferreira.
Kwena Mahpaka for Nandre Burger
The South African Burger has picked up 9 wickets in 10 matches, and has an economy of 10.33. That, despite getting game time consistently. Maybe the management could give left-arm pacer Kwena Mahpaka a chance. There could be a bit of surprise element there, as Maphaka is yet to get a game in this year’s tournament. He has a career economy of only 8.75.
Predicted RR playing XI
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Singh, Jofra Archer, Yash Raj Punja, Kwena Maphaka, Sandeep Sharma.
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