IPL 2021, RR vs MI Preview: Rajasthan and Mumbai to fight it out in a virtual playoff knockout

By Ayush Gupta | First Published Oct 4, 2021, 7:10 PM IST

Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians have had an unstable IPL 2021 season, especially in the UAE leg. Meanwhile, the two would battle it out for the fourth spot in Sharjah on Tuesday.

The race for the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs is more or less settled, with three teams already qualified. While the race for the fourth spot is still on, former champion Rajasthan Royals (RR) would clash against defending champion Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 51 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. In the same light, we present the match preview of this gripping thriller.

Current form
RR and MI are locked at the same number, winning five off 12 games and having ten points each. However, RR is placed sixth, a spot above MI, thanks to a better net run rate. It is a virtual knockout for both sides, as a loss would nearly end its race.

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Team composition
Considering the sides, RR lacks star power, exposing its batters to the bowling attacks. Anyhow, it has an intense pool of young talent, strong-minded and equipped to give any opponent a troublesome time. As for its bowling, it has been lethal, while it would need to develop a similar performance against MI.

As for MI, it has been massively dependent on its bowling, possesses enough star players. Also, its star power is tolerably designated among its batters. Having been highly inconsistent, winning just a game in the gulf, the focus would be on its top star players.

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Injury concerns: None of the sides has any injury concerns ahead of the tie.

Head-to-head
The two sides have clashed on 26 occasions, with MI barely leading 13-12, while in 24 IPL clashes, MI leads 12-11. Of the two United Arab Emirates (UAE) matches, both have won one apiece, while it would be their maiden clash in Sharjah.

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Weather and pitch report
The weather in Sharjah would be partly cloudy and somewhat warm, with an expected temperature of around 36 degrees and 55% humidity. The track is expected to play slow again while winning the toss and bowling would be ideal.

Probable XI
RR: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Evin Lewis, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Shivam Dube, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia, David Miller, Anureet Singh, Chetan Sakariya, Mustafizur Rahman, Mayank Markande.
MI: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Saurabh Tiwary, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jayant Yadav, Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah.

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Fantasy XI
Batters: Rohit, Miller, Pandya- Rohit would be the perfect opener, while Miller can fire in the top-order. Pandya, meanwhile, would be raring to go in the middle.
Wicketkeepers: Samson (c), de Kock- Both the men are in form and can gel well as openers. Samson's consistency makes him the skipper.
All-rounder: Pollard- The only man in natural form in the department and is expected to fire again in all sectors.
Bowlers: Boult, Bumrah (vc), Rahman, Chahar, Sakariya- Chahar has been consistently delivering with his spin and is expected to do the same, while the remaining four pacers are sure to provide breakthroughs regularly. Meanwhile, Bumrah reliability makes him the deputy skipper.

Match details
Date and day: October 5, 2021 (Tuesday)
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Time: 7.30 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Hotstar

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