RR vs MI: Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, Stats, Pitch Report and more for Dream11 IPL, Match 45

The Rajasthan Royals are coming into this clash with losses in three out of their last four game,s and even a win in all their remaining fixtures would not assure them a playoff spot.

Published - 24 Oct 2020, 22:40 IST | Updated - 24 Oct 2020, 22:40 IST

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If there is one way to describe the Mumbai Indians’ campaign in this edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), it would be to term it “ruthless”. How else does one define a team that has crushed its opponents with merciless might? After losing the tournament opener against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the Indians have lost only two games. And the only two unfavorable results for them have also come in Super Overs, describing the sheer competition they have brought on the table this year.

They are coming into this encounter after successfully avenging the defeat handed to them by the CSK from the tournament opener. Ripping MS Dhoni’s men apart, MI reduced them to 3/4 in the initial overs of the powerplay. CSK managed to crawl to 114 for nine, courtesy of a record ninth-wicket partnership between Sam Curran and Imran Tahir. Coming to chase, quite expectedly, MI made it look like a stroll in the park as they rolled over the opponents and chased the target in 12.2 overs without losing any wickets.

Placed at the top of the table, a win would be an official confirmation for the playoff spot. The team might want to check its bench by resting some players and “managing the workload” in the words of skipper Rohit Sharma, who missed the last game due to a hamstring injury. Despite his absence, MI had no trouble in toppling CSK by 10 wickets as Ishan Kishan stepped in magnificently in the opening slot.

Their immediate rivals Rajasthan Royals started the tournament rather promisingly, although those two consecutive victories look a thing from the distant past. Despite many efforts, the RR have not quite been able to find solutions to their problems. Their strategy of using Ben Stokes as an opener has not yielded results, whereas Jos Buttler has not been able to flow in the middle-order. The shocking dip in the form of Sanju Samson – who scored 159 in the first two innings and followed with 77 runs in the next eight – has been a massive concern too.

The Royals are coming into this clash with losses in three out of their last four games, and even a win in all their remaining fixtures would not assure them a playoff spot. A humiliating 8-wicket defeat against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last game has left them with too little to falter. However, a win against the table-toppers would not only give them the much-needed two points but also some confidence before moving ahead.

Pitch and conditions

Abu Dhabi has been a fortress for the Mumbai Indians and they have won five of their six encounters here thus far. There has been a bit of assistance for the pacers in the initial overs, whereas the spinners have chipped in, in the middle overs. Going by the standard of scoring in the last two games, the bowlers are expected to have a good outing.

Playing Combinations for RR vs MI

Rajasthan Royals

It is probably high time the management must take a call regarding using Ben Stokes as an opener as he has often eaten up way too many deliveries and has not been able to get amongst the runs. Though Sanju Samson ended being the highest scorer after his 36 from 26 in the last game, he has had an extremely cold run barring the initial games, and a similar story has unfolded for Steven Smith.

Jofra Archer continues to shine with the ball as he has picked 15 wickets with an economy rate of 6.62, however, the lack of support from the other end has hurt the team highly. Kartik Tyagi has managed to impress but he has not been able to keep a tap on the runs much like Jaydev Unadkat.

Probable XI- Ben Stokes, Robin Uthappa, Sanju Samson (WK), Steven Smith (C), Jos Buttler, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Ankit Rajpoot/Varun Aaron, Kartik Tyagi/Jaydev Unadkat

Mumbai Indians

Quinton de Kock has been unstoppable at his spot and he has been well supported by Rohit Sharma. Although Sharma, who missed the last game because of injury, is unlikely to be available for Sunday’s match. In his absence, Ishan Kishan, who slammed a sensational half-century in the previous game, should continue to open alongside de Kock.

The pace attack led by Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult was at its devastating best in the last game, and that is how they have been more often than not this year. A promising and emerging talent for the team has been Rahul Chahar, who has been highly disciplined and motivated during his spells.

Probable XI- Quinton de Kock (WK), Saurabh Tiwary/Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard (c), Krunal Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile/James Pattinson, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah