IPL 2021 is in its last week of the league stage, and almost each of the last six matches is likely to impact the final positions in the points table. A defeat for Mumbai tonight will officially eliminate their run for the Playoffs, but will keep Rajasthan Royals alive, and vice versa. Even if Mumbai win, they will look to improve their NRR significantly, both here and against Sunrisers Hyderabad, and hope for Rajasthan to beat Kolkata Knight Riders in their last match.
Rajasthan, now at sixth place, are coming off a win against the Chennai Super Kings. Their young duo, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube, helped them chase 190 with surprising ease. In Evin Lewis and Jaiswal, they have one of the more successful opening pairs of the season: the pair has scored at 10.54 per over.
Sanju Samson, too, is in great form. Unlike other seasons, he has not fizzled out after a couple of great knocks, and has scored 480 runs. They will also hope Dube, and the middle order, to lift their game here.
Mustafizur Rahman and Chetan Sakariya will continue to lead their bowling, but they need support. Chris Morris may make a return to provide the bowling cover. They will be happy with Rahul Tewatia’s bowling form in the last match.
The Mumbai batting has struggled. Barring the openers, Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock, almost none of them has been consistent, which has put pressure on their power hitters, Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya. They may push them up the order. Ishan Kishan was dropped, and it will be interesting to see if they recall him in this match for Saurabh Tiwary, who failed in the last match.
They have a well-rounded pace attack in Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, and Nathan Coulter-Nile. They had included Jayant Yadav for Rahul Chahar, specifically to counter the left-handers of Delhi Capitals. Rajasthan also boast of a few left-handers in their ranks, and Yadav may retain his spot.
Likely XIs
Rajasthan Royals: Evin Lewis, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Shivam Dube, David Miller, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia, Mayank Markhande, Chetan Sakariya, Mustafizur Rahman, Kartik Tyagi/Akash Singh
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Saurabh Tiwary, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jayant Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Top-order batters from Royals like Lewis, Jaiswal and Samson are in good form
- Similarly, for Mumbai their bowlers like Bumrah and Boult should be key choices
- Both teams have some attacking all-rounders like Hardik, Pollard and Dube who can provide good value
Blitzpools Fantasy XI
Sanju Samson (c); Evin Lewis, Yahsasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya; Kieron Pollard, Rahul Tewatia; Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Trent Boult, Mustafizur Rahman, Chetan Sakariya
