Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians will take on Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals in match 9 of the Indian Premier League 2022. The contest will be held at Mumbai’s DY Patil Cricket Stadium.
Mumbai Indians lost their opening game to Delhi Capitals after being unable to defend 177, which they compiled on the back of an unbeaten 81 from Ishan Kishan. In the bowling department, Daniel Sams and Jasprit Bumrah were expensive with an economy rate of 14.25 and 12.90 each as the opponents chased down the target in the penultimate over.
Rajasthan Royals, who are in pursuit of a better performance than what happened last year, won their season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad. After posting 210 in 20 overs, Yuzvendra Chahal’s three wickets helped the Royals successfully defend the total.
MI vs RR – Head to head total
MI and RR have played a total of 25 IPL games between them. The Mumbai franchise has an upper hand with 13 wins, while Rajasthan have won 11 games. One game produced no result. In the last five meetings between the two, Mumbai Indians lead 3-2.
The highest score posted by MI against RR is 212, while the highest score posted by RR against MI is 208. The lowest total posted by both teams against each other is 92 (MI) and 90 (RR).
Injury update and team news
MI – Suryakumar Yadav has completed his injury rehabilitation and is available for selection in the game against the Royals
RR – Nathan Coulter Nile injured himself in the previous game, which could make way for James Neesham in the playing XI.
Probable XI for both the teams
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Kieron Pollard, Tim David, Daniel Sams, Murugan Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Tymal Mills, Basil Thampi.
Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson (c and wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Jimmy Neesham, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Two players to watch out for from both teams
MI – Ishan Kishan and Kieron Pollard
In the IPL 2022 auction, wicketkeeper batsman Ishan Kishan was sold to the Mumbai Indians for Rs 15.25 crore, which made him the most expensive player of the season. The young batsman lived up to the hype in Mumbai’s season opener, scoring a flamboyant unbeaten 81.
Kieron Pollard is another player to watch out for. The West Indian has been a part of the Mumbai Indians family for several years now and is a match-winner with the bat. Pollard has rescued Mumbai from the jaws of defeat several times in the tournament’s history.
RR – Devdutt Padikkal and Yuzvendra Chahal
Devdutt Padikkal was the Emerging Player of the Season in IPL 2020 when he played for the RCB franchise. Although Padikkal opened for RCB, he is batting one down for Rajasthan and will be looking to win matches for his new franchise.
Yuzvendra Chahal, meanwhile, brings years of IPL and international experience with him. He was Royals’ best bowler in the previous game with three wickets.
Who will win the match between MI and RR?
Unfortunately, most of the matches this IPL season have been influenced by the toss. Only one game so far has had a winner that batted first. The dew has come into play in each of the games which is why the toss will decide which team is likely to win. But going by the squad of both the teams, Mumbai have a better chance at this one.
Where to watch the MI vs RR IPL 2022 match in India?
The MI vs RR IPL 2022 match can be watched on the Star Sports Network in India on April 2 at 3.30 PM IST. You can also watch the match online on the Hotstar app
Image credit: IPL
