IPL 2024, MI vs RR: Hardik, Mumbai search for 1st win against rampant Royals
If you’re a Mumbai Indians fan, it won’t be a surprise to see the five-time IPL champions make a slow start to their 2024 campaign.
Like a student who gets into his subject just a day before the exam, MI have made it a trend to make up for lost time and go on to even win the title comprehensively. However, the mood in the Mumbai camp hasn’t been the best this season.
Hardik Pandya’s time as captain was supposed to usher in a new era for the franchise. In his two-year tenure as Gujarat Titans skipper, the all-rounder won the first two matches of the campaigns and this was something MI hoped for. Unfortunately, they find themselves at the bottom of the points table with big questions being asked about Hardik’s captaincy.
This will be put to the test in front of a vocal Wankhede crowd, who would be keenly invested in each decision made by the all-rounder on the day with most of the support going to their hometown man, Rohit Sharma.
Hardik will also have his work cut out against a Rajasthan Royals side, who are unbeaten and look to be one of the contenders this season. With some Riyan Parag 2.0 energy infused into their side, RR will be looking to make it 3 out of 3 and go to the top of the table.
MI vs RR: Head-to-Head
Both MI and RR have faced each other in 28 matches so far in the IPL, with Mumbai winning 15 of them. While one has ended in a no-contest, Rajasthan have recorded wins on 12 occasions.
Since 2021, the record is firmly tilted in favor of Mumbai, as they have won 4 out of the 5 matches against RR. In last year’s encounter, despite a brilliant Yashasvi Jaiswal hundred, Rajasthan ended up being on the losing side.
MI vs RR: Team news
Suryakumar Yadav has been the big miss for MI this season and the Indian batter is expected to be out for some more time. Mumbai used Kwena Maphaka in their game against SRH and the youngster was taken to the cleaners by Hyderabad batters.
Expect the young man to make way for Luke Wood or Nuwan Thushara this time around. Dewald Brevis or Romario Shepherd could also come into the side for this match as they chase their first win.
RR wouldn’t be looking to change anything at the moment. Given that the Wankhede is a high-scoring ground, this could be the match where they may give Rovman Powell a chance.
MI vs RR: Pitch conditions
The Wankhede was the fastest-scoring ground in IPL 2023 and don’t expect a lot of changes to it. Known to be a ground that has served us thrilling chases in the past, don’t be surprised if we are in for one on April 1 as well.
MI vs RR: Predicted XI
Mumbai Indians Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Naman Dhir, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (capt), Tim David, Shams Mulani, Gerald Coetzee, Piyush Chawla, Luke Wood, Jasprit Bumrah.
Impact Player: Dewald Brevis/Romario Shepherd
Rajasthan Royals Predicted XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (capt & wk), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Nandre Burger, R Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal.