Ahead of the IPL showdown between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians at the Sardar Patel Stadium on Tuesday, 14 April (6:30pm GST), we ask fans in the UAE of the respective teams to share their thoughts on how the match will pan out.
– Follow all the IPL action with our LIVE SCORE CENTRE
– IPL financially favours India’s ageing international superstars
– Sport360’s IPL Player of the Day: Kings XI’s George Bailey
Rajasthan Royals fan, Emaad Shaikh
It is the clash between the two blues of the IPL and whenever they have met in previous editions they have not failed to entertain the fans. We can expect another close encounter between the two sides at the newly assigned home ground for the Rajasthan Royals, the Sardar Patel Stadium.
Throughout the IPL’s seven seasons to date, these two teams have built a healthy rivalry which the competition is richer for. It is also a rivalry largely dominated by the Mumbai Indians.
Last season Mumbai managed to qualify for the knockouts at the expense of the Royals with the help of a higher Net Run Rate. In 2013, Mumbai again knocked the Royals out of the competition, this time at the semi-final stage before they went on to win IPL 6.
Rajasthan Royals have started to build good momentum with two wins from two whereas the Indians are yet to taste victory and have struggled to find their best XI.
The Royals are the form team and long may that continue.
Shane Watson missed out in the last match with an injury and may return to the starting XI in the place of Chris Morris.
Essentially this match divides a nation as it pits RR mentor Rahul Dravid against MI icon Sachin Tendulkar. That is just how big this rivalry gets.
Congrats to the @rajasthanroyals & young Hooda, awesome ! I’m glad that culture of finding a way to win the tight ones continues…
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) April 12, 2015
Prediction: A Royal win for Rajasthan.
Rajasthan Royals likely XI: Watson, Rahane, Smith, Samson, Binny, Nair, Faulkner, Hooda, Tambe, Kulkarni, Southee
Rajasthan player to watch: James Faulkner – A player who can hurt the opponent with the bat and the ball and has been in consistent form since the World Cup.
Mumbai player to watch: Rohit Sharma – The captain of Mumbai Indians, when he gets going with his bat they can either set a good target or chase a target easily.
Well batted mate https://t.co/BqaC8BKzYk
— James Faulkner (@JamesFaulkner44) April 11, 2015
Mumbai Indians fan, Sundeep Lewis
Mumbai Indians suffered a second defeat in as many games on Sunday and will look to turn results their way when they face Rajasthan on Tuesday in Ahmedebad.
Mumbai were again ordinary with the ball, allowing Kings XI Punjab to put 177 on the board. Their bowlers, bar Bhaji, were poor and at times had no answer to the opposition.
The batting looked even worse as each of the top five failed miserably with some inexcusably poor shot selection on show.
Mumbai need to take a serious introspective look at themselves and coach Ricky Ponting looks in need of making some changes to the side in order to revive Mumbai’s fortunes.
If they are to register their first points in the competition then their match winners need to step up to the plate.
The king! Unbelievable tonight @harbhajan_singh #hebatsandhebowls pic.twitter.com/7sO7is1PMo
— Aiden Blizzard (@aidenblizzard) April 12, 2015
In stark contrast, Rajasthan won a nail biting last ball thriller against Delhi Daredevils on Sunday with their entire side contributing to the win.
They proved once again that they do not need superstars to win them games and now head into Tuesday’s game full of confidence having won their opening two games from difficult positions.
The Royals look a solid all-round outfit and will feel they have a good enough chance of keeping up the winning momentum against Mumbai. Skipper Shane Watson may return to the side, which will be big boost.
Prediction: Rajasthan win
Mumbai Indians likely XI: Rohit Sharma, Aaron Finch, Aditya Tare, Ambati Rayudu, Corey Anderson, Keiron Pollard, Siddesh Lad, Harbhajan Singh, Lasith Malinga, Vinay Kumar, Pawan Suyal
Mumbai player to watch: Keiron Pollard -He did not play in the World Cup and the powerful West Indian will be looking to get his team up and running sooner rather than later. He is a proven match winner and could make a huge impact against Rajasthan. His all-round ability is just the spark Mumbai need to kick start their campaign.
Rajasthan player to watch: Deepak Hooda – The youngest player in this season’s IPL will be aiming to keep his good run going after a man of the match performance against Delhi. He was very handy with the ball and gives an extra support to Pravin Tambe in the spin department. Additionally he gives an extra big hitting option in the middle order that already has Binny and Faulkner.
Where to watch: Grandstand, Park Regis Hotel Karama
