Strong-looking Rajasthan Royals (RR) will be locking horns with the five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 44th match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai. The Royals had won the reverse clashing between the two teams. On the back of England batter Jos Buttler‘s hundred, MI had lost the game by 23 runs, but they will be looking to settle the scores in their next encounter against RR.
However, it may not be that easy for the MI side as RR has been witnessing a prime form in the season so far as they have managed to win six games out of their eight matches. The Royals have defeated some of the strong teams in the tournament including Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), and Delhi Capitals (DC). MI, on other hand, has still been searching for their first win and is currently placed last in the points table.
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The five-time champions have somehow managed to be on the losing side in all the 8 matches despite being on top at times in some of the games. They have had some close-fought battles against Delhi Capitals (DC), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and Punjab Kings (PBKS) but eventually lost all the matches. The two old rivals have locked horns with each other 28 times in IPL so far and it is MI that has enjoyed the fair share of success against RR with 14 wins.
Ahead of the key clash, we take a look at the player matchups that may very well decide whether Mumbai will land a win.
#1 Rohit Sharma vs Trent Boult
Now, this may seem like a familiar tale where MI skipper, Rohit Sharma has a tendency of failing against left-arm quicks. However, Trent Boult, a former Mumbai bowler, has been rather dismal going wicketless in the last three matches. Rohit, on the other hand, has been in a form slump himself. When the two meet, it’s about whoever wins the contest getting the much-needed boost.
#2 Jos Buttler vs Jasprit Bumrah
Teams have been quite content to see Jasprit Bumrah failing to take wickets regularly in IPL 2022 so far. This resulted in the quick bagging of just five wickets from eight matches. He may have walked for a single-digit score against Bangalore, but his intent was still present. With his natural instinct of taking on bowlers, he will look to put Bumrah through his pace. The English batter has amassed 499 runs from eight games at an average of 71.29 and a strike rate of 159.42. He has scored three tons in the season so far.
#3 Suryakumar Yadav vs Yuzvendra Chahal
Suryakumar Yadav has been one of the most consistent performers for MI in IPL 2022 thus far. He will be up against Purple Cap holder Yuzvendra Chahal (18 wickets from eight games). Yadav has amassed runs from six matches at an average of 47.80 and his contest against Chahal will be that of skill vs skill. Both cricketers are extremely innovative and courageous in their approach, making it a mouth-watering contest to watch out for.
