IPL 2020, Match 45 Preview: RR vs MI- Team analysis, along with Fantasy XI

As the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL) approaches its business end, crucial matches are all set to pop up. In Match 45, former champions Rajasthan Royals (RR) get set to take on defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Both the teams have had a contrasting season so far. As MI are placed on the top of the table, having won seven matches from 10, RR are placed at the seventh spot, having lost the same number of matches in 11. While MI need a win to seal their playoffs berth, RR would need one to stay alive in contention.

Current form
As for their current form, both are coming off mixed performances. While RR suffered an eight-wicket defeat to fellow former champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), MI are coming off a 10-wicket win against former champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Team composition
As for the teams of both, RR are a balanced side, with their focus on bowling. Meanwhile, MI, too, are relatively balanced, as they also have a bowling-heavy squad.

Head-to-head
Considering their head-on clashes so far, both have met on 24 occasions, with MI winning 12 and RR winning 11. In the IPL, they have clashed on 22 occasions, with MI winning 11 and RR winning 10. Their previous clash this season was their first-ever clash in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which was won by MI.

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Weather and pitch report
As for the weather, the temperature is expected to be around 34 degrees, with a 35% chance of precipitation. Meanwhile, the track is expected to aid both batsmen and the bowlers, as anything around 170-180 would be highly competitive.

Predicted XI
RR: Ben Stokes, Robin Uthappa, Sanju Samson (wk), Steve Smith (c), Jos Buttler, Ryan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Ankit Rajpoot, Kartik Tyagi.
MI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah.

Dream XI
Batsmen: Suryakumar, Rohit, Smith- Rohit can give the right start with wicketkeeper-batsman de Kock, while Suryakumar and Smith can stabilise the middle-order.
Wicketkeeper: De Kock (c)- The South African has been in a flamboyant form and has been a consistent performer, also making him the captain of the side.
All-rounders: Pollard, Tewatia- Pollard has been in brutal form in all departments, while Tewatia has ideally dominated with his spin. Nonetheless, his expertise with the bat can also earn him points.
Bowlers: Chahar, Bumrah, Boult, Tyagi, Archer: Chahar is set to rule with his spin, while the other four can tear apart any batting order with their crushing pace. Archer's faithful form and reliable death bowling make him the vice-captain.

Players to watch out
Rohit: The MI skipper has been decent with the bat. But, it is a big innings that is awaited from him, as Sunday could be the day.
Tewatia: It was on a couple of occasions that the lad stole the limelight with the bat. Although he is certain to make an impact with his spin bowling, can he have another great outing with the bat?
Boult: The Kiwi pacer has been in a fine form with the ball, as the fans would have their eyes on him, who can finish as the side's highest wicket-taker on Sunday.

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