Mumbai Indians, after a dismal start to their Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign, have shown signs of resurgence with three wins in their last four matches. They will now face table-toppers Rajasthan Royals in a crucial reverse fixture on April 22 in Jaipur, seeking revenge for their earlier defeat.
The five-time champions have been bolstered by the return to form of Suryakumar Yadav, whose 53-ball 78 against Punjab Kings was the cornerstone of their innings. Rohit Sharma’s scintillating century, albeit in a losing cause, has also been a highlight for MI. However, the team’s bowling woes remain a concern.
Jasprit Bumrah has been the standout performer with the ball, taking 13 wickets and boasting the second-best economy rate in the tournament. However, his bowling colleagues have struggled, with Gerald Coetzee, Akash Madhwal, and skipper Hardik Pandya being inconsistent.
Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, have been in rampaging form, occupying the top spot with 12 points. Their bowling unit, led by Trent Boult and Yuzvendra Chahal, has been particularly impressive. Boult has removed three of MI’s top-order batters for naught in their previous encounter, while Chahal has been RR’s most valuable player in the bowling department with 12 wickets.
The Royals’ batting has revolved around Riyan Parag, who has reinvented himself as a destructive force with 318 runs so far. Skipper Sanju Samson has also produced some fine knocks, while Jos Buttler has single-handedly chased down a 200-plus total to win RR’s last match against Kolkata Knight Riders.
