IPL 2020 RR vs MI: Will Rajasthan Royals finally change their senseless batting-order?

Dream11 IPL 2020 RR vs MI: Depleted Rajasthan Royals would aim to stay afloat when they take on table-toppers Mumbai Indians in the match no. 45 of Indian Premier League 2020.

It will be a crucial game for Rajasthan, who are languishing at seventh place and a loss would mean a step closer to elimination.

For Rajasthan, the biggest worry is the form of skipper Steve Smith, who has made 265 runs from 11 matches and a misfiring top-order.

ALSO READ: IPL 2020 Moneyball : Check top 5 most value for money players in IPL 2020

In the course of the season, Rajasthan have made constant changes at the top and that has hurt them badly.

The team does possess quality players like Ben Strokes (110 runs), Sanju Samson (272 runs) and Jos Buttler (271 runs), but the trio has failed to deliver collectively.

Also, all-rounder Rahul Tewatia (224 runs and 7 wickets) has been a revelation with both the bat and ball, but too much is being left for him to achieve.

Their younger players are also getting starts but need to convert them and take responsibility in case the seniors misfire again.

Will Rajasthan Royals finally rectify their disordered batting order?

Notably, Ben Stokes and Robin Uthappa have open for RR in last few games but the pair has not been successful for the team.

Stokes, since his delayed arrival in the UAE, owing to the health concerns of his father, has opened the batting for the Royals in five games so far and he has scored 110 runs at a strike rate of 106- which is well below expectations. Interestingly, the England cricketer is yet to hit a six in this tournament.

ALSO READ: IPL 2020: Top 10 bowlers list – Who is leading the Purple Cap race?

So it will be better for RR to send Stokes at his natural position, which is at number five or number six, and if he doesn’t perform, then they should think of changing.
Also sending Stokes in the middle order will provide Rajasthan a much-needed batting depth and he can hit quick runs in the death overs along with Rahul Tewatia.

Jos Buttler should replace Ben Stokes as an opener

Rajasthan has a proven opener in Jos Buttler, who has scored runs and won matches at the top of the order in Twenty20 cricket, so it only makes sense to play him as an opening batsman rather than wasting his talent in the middle order.

Sanju Samson and Steve Smith can interchange positions

Sanju Samson can be pushed to number four as the batsman is struggling with his form, while skipper Steve Smith can bat at his favourable position which is no.3. This way Smith will also get more time to build the innings and he won’t be under pressure to play big shots from the very first ball he faces as, it is not his forte. It will also give a lot more stability to RR lineup.

ALSO READ: RR vs MI Head-to-Head in IPL: Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians stats ahead of IPL 2020 2nd leg

In the lower-middle order, Tewatia and Riyan Parag can move around at 6 and 7 depending on the situation of the match.