IPL 2020: Match 20: Mumbai Indians Vs Rajasthan Royals: MI Predicted XI

Mumbai Indians surged to the top of the table with an emphatic victory over SunRisers Hyderabad on Sunday in Sharjah. Perhaps, Mumbai Indians were the first side in IPL 2020 not to concede a 200 plus total as they restricted the SunRisers Hyderabad to 171 while defending 208. It helped them capture two points, amounting to a total of six after an inconsistent start.

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They will now lock horns with Rajasthan Royals, who are under pressure now, having lost two games on the bounce. Rajasthan Royals’ cardinal problems are their batting and fielding department, which needs plenty of rethinking and work to do. The Royals’ over-reliance on top three have not served them well outside Sharjah, where their two victories have come. Mumbai Indians begin as favourites as Rajasthan will have an uphill task upstaging them.

We take a look at Mumbai Indians’ predicted XI ahead of their IPL 2020 game against Rajasthan Royals:

Rohit Sharma (c):

Rohit Sharma hit a six in his fourth ball in Sharjah against the SunRisers Hyderabad; however, could not carry on and capitalise on the short boundaries. Rohit Sharma has two half-centuries so far in this edition, both of which have come in crucial games. The right-handed batsman will have a challenging task facing the Royals’ paceman Jofra Archer with the new ball.

Quinton De Kock (wk):

With Rohit Sharma departing early against the SunRisers, the responsibility fell on Quinton De Kock to anchor the innings. The South African keeper-batsman struck a half-century, signalling his return to form after a string of low scores. With 67 from 39 deliveries, laced with four fours and as many sixes, he was the top run-scorer.

Suryakumar Yadav:

Suryakumar Yadav has etched his spot as a highly capable number three batsman with impactful performances. After Rohit Sharma’s departure, Suryakumar Yadav counterattacked with his elegant stroke-making. The right-handed batsman struck six boundaries in his 18-ball 27 that kept the opposition on their toes.

Ishan Kishan:

Ishan Kishan replaced Saurabh Tiwary for the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore and has come undroppable ever since. Ishan Kishan did not look at his absolute best against the SunRisers; however, made a 23-ball 31 that included a boundary and two sixes. Manish Pandey took a brilliant diving catch at long-on to remove him.

Hardik Pandya:

Hardik Pandya could not be as destructive against the SunRisers as he was against Kings XI Punjab. However, his 28 runs off 19 deliveries, containing two fours and as many sixes were crucial too. Moving forward, Mumbai Indians might also need Hardik Panday to bowl a few overs.

Kieron Pollard:

Kieron Pollard was the same as Hardik Pandya against the SunRisers, doing the bare minimum at the backend. Kieron Pollard remained unbeaten at 25 off 13 deliveries that included two sixes. He also delivered three overs and conceded only 20 runs as his slower balls were hard to put away for boundaries by the batsmen.

Krunal Pandya:

Krunal Pandya not only proved his worth as a left-arm spinner but also as a batting all-rounder against the SunRisers in IPL 2020. Krunal Pandya faced the final four balls of the innings and clubbed 20 runs to lift the Mumbai Indians past 200. With the ball, the left-arm spinner took the scalp of Priyam Garg and conceded 35 runs in four overs.

James Pattinson:

James Pattinson has been one of the best new-ball bowlers in conditions that haven’t entirely suited him. However, he has generated enough seam movement to keep the batsmen guessing. The Victorian took the wickets of Manish Pandey and David Warner in four overs, giving away only 29 runs and leaking three boundaries.

Rahul Chahar:

Rahul Chahar has been the frontline spinner for Mumbai Indians in the absence of any experienced spin-bowling option. Rahul Chahar has exceeded the expectations; however, against the SunRisers, he bowled only one over. After going for 16 runs in his only over, Rohit Sharma decided to hold him back.

Trent Boult:

Trent Boult has formed one of the best new-ball bowling pairs along with James Pattinson and has brought some critical wickets in the powerplay. Trent Boult did the same against the SunRisers, getting the wicket of Jonny Bairstow as the English opener began strongly. He also removed Kane Williamson cheaply to finish with figures of 4-0-28-2.

Jasprit Bumrah:

Jasprit Bumrah was the most expensive paceman against the SunRisers on Sunday, conceding 41 runs in four overs. Abdul Samad, who threatened to pull off a miraculous run-chase was one of the victims he claimed. The lanky seamer also floored Abhishek Sharma’s stumps to almost seal the win for the Mumbai Indians.

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