MI vs RR IPL 2019: Pumped up Mumbai take on dejected Rajasthan

Enter with a strong squad, have a terrible start, pick-up in the middle and then finish with a bang. This is how Mumbai play in Indian Premier League. So far in IPL season 12, they have ticked the boxes for strong squad and poor start and are looking good to tick the box for upping the ante.

On April 13 they face Rajasthan Royals who have struggled to deliver the knock-out punch despite performing extremely well. It will be a challenge for Rajasthan as Mumbai at their peak is probably the strongest team in IPL. Can Rahane and Co. come up with a miracle?

Venue:

Good surface, fast outfield, small boundaries. Perfect recipe for a batsmen dominated contest. The Wankhede stadium should see more runs on April 13th.

"@ImRo45 is definitely available for selection."@ImZaheer confirms the Hitman's availability for tomorrow's game against RR.#OneFamily #CricketMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians #ESAday #EducationAndSportsForAll #ESA #MIvRR pic.twitter.com/v1CnGWYABO

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 12, 2019

Form guide:

Rajasthan have been highly inconsistent which is the result of their middle-order not stepping up. Jos Buttler has started to flicker as well. The bowling department has venom but needs assistance from the surface to become lethal.

Pollard stepping up makes Mumbai’s middle-order a nightmare for bowlers. But Quinton de Kock needs a big score under his belt. The bowling hasn’t been upto the mark as well.

Key Numbers:

• Both teams have fared equally well in head to head contests. In 21 games, Mumbai has won 11 while Rajasthan has won 9.

• Mumbai has a good record against RR at their home. Mumbai have won four matches out of the six played here at this venue between the two teams.

Don’t miss the MI vs RR match prediction 

Players in focus:

With a cracking knock of 81 runs off 31 balls, Kieron Pollard has served a reminder of how lethal he can be. After scoring just 133 runs in 2018 at an average of 19.00 , Pollard has made a sensational comeback in 2019.

Also read: MI vs RR: Top three fantasy picks

He averages 44.75 in IPL season 12, his best in all seasons and importantly he has a strike rate of 194.56, his best in all IPL years. And what’s more, he loves batting against RR as he has 335 runs against them, the most by any Mumbai Indians batsman.