IPL 2023: 3 Key Match-Ups to Watch-Out in MI VS RR Match No.42

IPL 2023: In order to halt the rampaging Rajasthan Royals (RR), the struggling Mumbai Indians (MI) will need to bring their best game when the two sides meet on Sunday for their IPL 2023 clash. Historically, MI has won 14 of the 27 IPL matches played between the two teams, while RR has emerged victorious 12 times, with one game ending in a draw.

IPL 2023: Performances of the Teams in the Ongoing Season

After enduring two initial defeats, Mumbai Indians bounced back with three consecutive victories, but their recent performances have been lackluster, leading to two successive losses. As the second half of the league approaches, Rohit Sharma’s team faces an uphill battle to thwart a soaring Mumbai side. Among the Mumbai Indians’ players, young Tilak Varma tops the charts with 219 runs in seven matches, while Cameron Green has amassed 199 runs in as many games. With 11 wickets in seven matches, Piyush Chawla has been the most successful bowler. Although the five-time IPL champions are formidable in their batting, they are struggling in the bowling department, as evidenced by their latest match where they conceded 215 runs in 20 overs. Jofra Archer was absent from the last match against Gujarat Titans due to illness, but if he fully recovers, he could take Riley Meredith’s spot in the team’s line-up.

The Royals have made a comeback after losing two consecutive games, winning five out of their eight matches and placing them in a favorable position to qualify for the playoffs. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been a standout performer for RR, scoring 304 runs in eight matches with an impressive average of 38, including three half-centuries, while Jos Buttler, his opening partner, has added 271 runs in as many games. In the bowling department, Yuzvendra Chahal leads the way with 12 wickets, followed closely by Ravichandran Ashwin and Trent Boult with 11 and nine wickets, respectively. With a well-balanced squad that covers most bases, RR looks strong. However, Trent Boult missed the last game due to injury, with Adam Zampa taking his place. If Boult regains fitness, he is likely to replace Zampa in the line-up, as the Wankhede Stadium’s spin-friendly surface is unlikely to offer much assistance to spinners.

IPL 2023: Top Player Battles to Keep an Eye on in MI VS RR Game:

3) Rohit Sharma vs Trent Boult

The upcoming IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals will witness an exciting clash between MI captain Rohit Sharma and his former teammate, Trent Boult, who now represents RR. Boult has previously troubled Rohit with his deliveries that nip back in from over the wicket, resulting in one dismissal out of five IPL meetings. Rohit has only managed to score 15 runs against Boult, with a paltry strike rate of 107.14. Given his experience of bowling to Rohit in international cricket and in nets, Boult will aim to exploit Rohit’s weakness against left-armers by luring him with the delivery angling in. The outcome of this battle could significantly influence the final result of the match, which promises to be a display of flair and skill.

2) Suryakumar Yadav vs Yuzvendra Chahal

Suryakumar Yadav’s poor form this season is a major concern for Mumbai Indians, with the star batter only managing a single half-century in seven innings. MI relies heavily on Yadav to maintain momentum during the middle overs, making it crucial that he rediscovers his form soon. Although he is typically an excellent player against spin bowling, Suryakumar has a noticeable weakness in this area, which Yuzvendra Chahal is likely to exploit in their upcoming clash. The two players have faced off 11 times in the IPL, with Yadav scoring 76 runs against Chahal at a strike rate of 120.63, but Chahal has dismissed him three times. Given Chahal’s current red-hot form in the ongoing IPL 2023, the outcome of this battle could be critical to the final result of the MI vs RR fixture.

1) Sanju Samson vs Piyush Chawla

Sanju Samson, a pivotal player for RR, is set to play a significant role in their middle order in the upcoming match, despite his recent struggles to score runs in the last three games. Nevertheless, Samson’s reliability and experience make him an essential asset to the team. MI, however, has a formidable weapon in the form of Piyush Chawla, who has been in remarkable form with the ball and is expected to pose a significant challenge to the veteran batsman. Chawla, with 11 wickets in seven innings, has an impressive average of 17.45 and an economy rate of 7.11, making him the highest wicket-taker for MI. Furthermore, he has dismissed Samson twice in six IPL meetings. On the other hand, Samson has accumulated 56 runs at an exceptional strike rate of 155.55, hitting Chawla for four sixes and two fours, which sets up an enthralling contest between the two.