IPL 2020 – MI vs RR: Match preview, Fantasy XI team and Prediction

Match 20 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 will feature a classic rivalry as Mumbai Indians will take on Rajasthan Royals.

Mumbai Indians have looked phenomenal in this season and are coming off two consecutive wins over KXIP and SRH.

Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, started pretty strong but deviated along the way and are coming off two consecutive losses against KKR and RCB.

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians have been looking flawless in every department. They are coming off an impressive win over SRH at Sharjah. Even though the match was at Sharjah, the pitch was a bit slow due to it being an afternoon match. Despite Rohit Sharma getting out, Quinton de Kock took the initiative to lead the innings. He regained his form to score an impressive 67 off just 39 balls. Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan scored useful 27 and 31 runs respectively. However, the highlight was the in-form pair of Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard who scored 28 and 25 runs respectively.

MI’s bowling looked great as well. Despite the match being in Sharjah and SRH having a stacked top-order, MI was successful in restricting them to 174. All pace-bowlers Trent Boult, James Pattinson, and Jasprit Bumrah bowled well to take 2 wickets each. Krunal Pandya has been bowling beautifully as well.

Rajasthan Royals

Royals started off pretty briskly, however, seem to be struggling after winning their first two matches. They are primarily a top-order dominant side, however, Jos Buttler hasn’t been showcasing the firepower for which he’s known for. Skipper Steve Smith and Sanju Samson have to bear the added pressure and if they get out cheaply, the middle-order seems weak. Even though in their last match, young Mahipal Lomror scored an impressive fifty but went in vain.

As per bowling is concerned, spearhead  Jaydev Unadkat has been struggling. Mostly the batsmen will have to put up a score that will allow the bowlers to defend.

Fantasy XI team

ROHIT SHARMA (10.5) (C) – Rohit Sharma again played a captain’s knock by scoring a match-winning 70 runs off just 45 balls. He’ll be my captain.

STEVE SMITH (10) (VC) – The RR skipper has been in phenomenal form. He’ll be our vice-captain.

ISHAN KISHAN (8.5) – After what he did in his first match against RCB, it’s pretty self-explanatory why he makes the place.

KIERON POLLARD (9) – Pollard has looked in great form. Especially against spin in Sharjah, he can change the course of the game.

HARDIK PANDYA (9.5) – Hardik Pandya has looked in great form. He does not take time to settle and can explode at any moment.

SANJU SAMSON (9.5) – Samson has been in unreal form.

SURYAKUMAR YADAV (9) – Yadav has been getting good starts, however, is losing his wicket due to soft dismissals. He’s at a cusp of a big inning.

MAHIPAL LOMROR (8) – Lomror impressed everyone when he carried the innings forward after the wickets of Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, Steve Smith, and Robin Uthappa. He can bowl a bit as well.

JOFRA ARCHER (9) –  Archer bowled great as well and not to forget his innings where he hit Ngidi for four consecutive sixes!

JAMES PATTINSON (8) – Pattinson has been bowling tight and picking wickets at regular intervals as well.

TRENT BOULT (8.5) – Boult has been doing a good job by keeping things tight and picking wickets as well.

PREDICTION

MI is clearly one of the strongest sides of the season alongside Delhi Capitals. Rajasthan Royals started well, however, it is pretty evident that their middle-order isn’t reliable. Also, bowling except for Archer has been struggling. Mumbai Indians will therefore defeat Rajasthan Royals.

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