What

Match 21 of VIVO IPL 2018 will see the Rajasthan Royals play host to the Mumbai Indians.

Both teams find a place in the bottom half of the standings; the Royals have two wins from five outings, while Mumbai Indians only opened their account in their previous match against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

RR have to address problems with their balance and their bowling attack; they have fielded at least five potential openers in their XI, with three of them having to adapt to roles they may not be so used to. On the bowling front, RR’s three pacers – Jaydev Unadkat, Ben Laughlin and Ben Stokes – need to start finding methods to contain the leaking of runs; the three pacers have economy rates in excess of 10.

The Mumbai Indians will be feeling confident after opening their account in their previous match. MI have a history of starting slowly and then catching up; this season, they lost their first three matches, before they earned their first points in the home match against Royal Challengers Bangalore. MI, who return to the park after a four-day break, will be keen to continue doing what they have done so far – but only consistently improve the one percenters, which has cost them three potential wins.

On paper, MI appear to have the better balanced team, and a better bowling attack. Can RR get their balance and their act right on Sunday evening?

When

22 April 2018, 2000Hrs (IST)

Where

Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

Impact Batsmen

The Mumbai lads on both sides are absolutely crucial to the two team’s fortunes. Ajinkya Rahane, who usually plays the sheet-anchor role, has been a revelation this season; the RR captain has batted with freedom, mixed consistency and aggression, and has helped his team off to brisk starts. For MI, their captain Rohit Sharma is a key character in the team’s batting plans; the 30-year old’s 94 laid the foundation for the win over RCB.

Among others capable of causing substantial damage with the bat are Sanju Samson and Ben Stokes (RR) and Ishan Kishan and Evin Lewis (MI). Young Samson has struck the ball beautifully this season, but has found the fielder in the last two innings; RR will want the 23-year old to revert to doing what he did in the first three matches of the season.

Impact Bowlers

Given the big boundaries at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, the leg-spinners on both sides will have a huge role to play. Shreyas Gopal has picked up 5 wickets – several of them batsmen caught in the outfield, but his economy of 5.92 is the best this season. Young Mayank Markande has been among the most talked about bowlers so far in VIVO IPL 2018; the 20-year old has picked up 8 wickets in four matches, and his victims - some of them experienced international batsmen – have found him difficult to read.

In Jasprit Bumrah, Mustafizur Rahman and Krunal Pandya, MI have three bowlers who are in wicket-taking form, and have the habit of making things happen.

Team Head to Head

Overall: Matches – 16, Rajasthan Royals won – 6, Mumbai Indians won – 10

From 2008 until 2011, the Rajasthan Royals held the edge over the Mumbai Indians, with a 4-3 win-loss record. Since then though, the tables have turned; in 9 matches between the two teams since 2012, MI have won 7, and RR 2.

What Next

Both teams’ next fixtures are against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Rajasthan Royals will have the opportunity to recuperate and recharge during their 6-day break; their next fixture is scheduled for April 29. The Mumbai Indians will be seen in action next on April 24.