Agencies
Mumbai, April 30
'Rajasthan Royals are experiencing a strange dip in the middle stages of IPL 2015. After five consecutive wins, their next four matches have been two losses and two no-results. They are currently in second position but they will be aware that they are in a vulnerable state.
On the other hand, Mumbai Indians are in seventh position but they have managed to keep their campaign alive with a much-needed win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. The most pleasing aspect of their win was the way their spearhead, Lasith Malinga came back to form and these are encouraging signs. Like the previous season, Mumbai Indians have left it till the fag end to mount a comeback but they are still hanging in there.
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Date: May 01, 2015
Time: 8:00 PM
Weather: Low of 28 degrees
Team news:
Mumbai Indians
The team functioned as a unit during the game against Surisers Hyderabad. Lendl Simmons played a pivotal part at the top while the middle order supported him well. Parthiv Patel has not had a good time so far and he might be replaced by Aditya Tare. Skipper Rohit Sharma has stated that the team needs to do much more with the bat if they are to win on a consistent basis.
Probable XI
1 Lendl Simmons, 2 Parthiv Patel/Aditya Tare (wk), 3 Unmukt Chand, 4 Rohit Sharma (capt), 6 Kieron Pollard, 7 Harbhajan Singh, 8 Jagadeesha Suchith, 9 R Vinay Kumar, 10 Mitchell McClenaghan, 11 Lasith Malinga
Rajasthan Royals
The team has been plagued by inconsistency in both the bowling and batting. In their game against Kings XI Punjab, the bowlers leaked too many runs in the death overs while in the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore, the batting failed to rise to the occasion. In the washed out game against RCB in Bangalore, the bowlers ended up conceding 200 runs and this is an area where they have to work on. The batting looks to be in good shape but they must be backed by consistent performers from the bowlers.
Probable XI
1 Ajinkya Rahane, 2 Shane Watson (capt), 3 Steven Smith, 4 Karun Nair, 5 Sanju Samson (wk), 6 Stuart Binny, 7 Deepak Hooda, 8 James Faulkner, 9 Dhawal Kulkarni, 10 Tim Southee/Chris Morris, 11 Pravin Tambe
Stats
• In four matches between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Indians have won three and lost one.
• Rohit Sharma needs 23 runs to reach 2000 runs for Mumbai Indians. He will be the second batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to reach this landmark.
• Kieron Pollard needs six sixes to reach 100 sixes in the IPL.
Quotes
"This is the kind of performance we have been talking about and this is the character of Mumbai Indians."
- Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma talks about the character of his side after an important win over Sunrisers Hyderabad.
"We just need momentum going our way."
- Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane
