IPL 2024: Mumbai Indians' strongest predicted playing XI against Rajasthan Royals

Franchise Mumbai Indians (MI) are set for a stern test on Monday, April 22, when they travel to Jaipur. The five-time IPL winners will take on red-hot Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a key game and look for their fourth win of the season. Hardik Pandya and his side are currently sixth in the IPL points table after moving to the spot thanks to Delhi Capitals' (DC) loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Saturday. 

The last time the two teams met was in Mumbai where Trent Boult created havoc with the bat. Sanju Samson and his men won the game with easy thanks to Riyan Parag scoring a match-winning half-century. Mumbai Indians come into the game on the back of their close win against Punjab Kings.

While the men in blue and gold have been great with the bat, it is the bowling which is a huge cause for concern. Jasprit Bumrah has been the only bowler who has done well for MI this year while the rest have struggled with their economy rates.

Here’s the probable playing XI for MI vs RR IPL 2024 Clash:

Openers – Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan

Veteran batter and former Mumbai Indians skipper, Rohit Sharma has been in great nick with the bat. 297 runs from seven appearances also includes an unbeaten ton speaks about the amount of importance Rohit Sharma carries for the five-time IPL winners. 

Ishan Kishan has been destructive at the top of the order with his flick shots and pull shots against the seamers. The 25-year-old has given Mumbai Indians flying starts during the course of the first 7 games and will hope to put up a big score on the board soon.

Middle-order – Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma 

Mumbai Indians saw Suryakumar Yadav who top-scored in the previous game propel his side to post a huge total on the board. The 33-year-old will be looking for consistency as he has scored two half-centuries and two ducks this season.

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Tilak Varma has been one of the best young talents to emerge out of Mumbai Indians in the last few years. The unbeaten 34-run knock against PBKS was a crucial contribution for Mumbai Indians as it helped push the total nearly towards 200. Even in the last encounter against RR, it was Tilak Varma who looked dangerous with the bat while the rest of the batters failed to score.

All-rounders – Hardik Pandya, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, and Mohammad Nabi

As Mumbai Indians get set to embark into the second half of the season, Hardik Pandya’s role becomes more important. The MI skipper hasn’t clicked with the bat or the ball so far this year. With all the outside noise, one good performance can win the fans over. 

Tim David was the man who broke the Royals’ hearts last year with three successive sixes to win the game. The Australian will want to make sure he plays a bigger role in the second half of the season with the bat as a finisher. Mohammad Nabi and Romario Shepherd have largely been quiet in the last few games but the two players are very dangerous and just need a game to show their worth.

Bowlers – Shreyas Gopal, Jasprit Bumrah, and Gerald Coetzee 

Mumbai Indians have found Jasprit Bumrah to be their best bowler in the first half of the season. The right-arm pacer has already picked a fifer this year and was devastating with the ball against Punjab Kings.

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Shreyas Gopal may not have picked many wickets but the right-arm leg spinner is a potent bowler and a huge wicket-taking threat. Gerald Coetzee is finally starting to show his true self with the ball and exhibiting why Mumbai Indians were right to pick him. The right-arm pacer unsettled the PBKS batters with his blistering pace and will look to do the same against Royals.

Mumbai Indians Predicted XI against RR 

Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Mohammad Nabi, Shreyas Gopal, Gerald Coetzee, and Jasprit Bumrah

Impact Player – Akash Madhwal