The Mumbai Indians (MI) will take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Wednesday. It is the 66th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2013 and the second meeting for the teams.
Overview:
Both the teams have qualified for the Play-Offs but winning will not only entertaining their supporters but also give them psychological advantage if they meet again in the upcoming games. RR defeated MI by 87 runs in their meeting earlier this season.
MI are placed in the second position with 20 points after winning 10 of the 14 games played. They come into this contest after winning three consecutive matches. They beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets in the previous game. They will be keen to keep the momentum going.
RR come into this contest at the back of winning four consecutive games, the latest victim being Chennai Super Kings, who are one of the favourites to win the title this season. They are currently placed third on the table with 20 points after winning 10 of the 14 matches played so far. They will be keen to keep the momentum going and prepare for the Play-Offs.
Previous Meetings:
RR and MI have won five games each out of their 10 encounters. RR defeated MI by 87 runs in their meeting earlier this season.
Team News:
Mumbai Indians: Kieron Pollard's 66 of 27 balls ensured a win for the team in the previous match. Other batsmen - Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Dwayne Smith and Dinesh Karthik - also chipped in and contributed to the total though none of them hit big. They will be expected to play their part in the remaining matches too.
Lasith Malinga took two wickets and Mitchell Johnson took one in the previous game. With Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha and Abu Nechim in the line-up, they are a good bowling side. Malinga and Singh seem to have found their rhythm, which is good for the team.
Rajasthan Royals: Shane Watson, who is in good form this season, once again scored 70 and Stuart Binny scored 41 in the previous match, helping the team wrap up the game with 17 balls to spare. Skipper Rahul Dravid, Ajinkya Rahane and Sanju Samson are also in good form.
Kevon Cooper took two wickets in the previous game at the back of a three-wicket haul. They also have James Faulkner, Watson, Ajit Chandila, Sreesanth, Siddharth Trivedi and Binny in the bowling line-up. They have performed well this season and should continue to carry the form into the upcoming matches.
Prediction:
MI are one of the strongest teams this season and will play at their home ground on Wednesday but RR are a very disciplined and one of the most consistent teams. Rahul Dravid's men are the favourite to win.
SQUADS:
Mumbai Indians: Ricky Ponting (captain), Abu Nechim Ahmed, Akshar Patel, Aditya Tare, Aiden Blizzard, Ambati Rayudu, Amitoze Singh, Dhawal Kulkarni, Dinesh Karthik, Dwayne Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Harbhajan Singh, Jacob Oram, Jalaj Saxena, James Franklin, Jasprit Bumrah, Kieron Pollard, Lasith Malinga, Mitchell Johnson, Munaf Patel, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Phil Hughes, Pawan Suyal, Pragyan Ojha, Rishi Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar, Suryakumar Yadav, Sushant Marathe, Yuzvendra Singh Chahal
Rajasthan Royals: Rahul Dravid (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Ajit Chandila, Ankeet Chavan, Ashok Menaria, Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg, Dishant Yagnik, Fidel Edwards, Harmeet Singh, James Faulkner, Kevon Cooper, Kumar Boresha, Kushal Janith Perera, Owais Shah, Pravin Tambe, Rahul Shukla, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Sachin Baby, Samuel Badree, Sanju Samson, Shane Watson, Shaun Tait, Shreevats Goswami, Siddharth Trivedi, Stuart Binny, Vikramjeet Malik
Where to Watch Live
The match will begin at 8:00 pm IST and will be telecast live on Sony Set Max channel.
