IPL 2020 MI vs RR Match 45: Preview, Playing XI predictions, weather report

Published on: Oct 25, 2020

Defending champions Mumbai Indians will start clear favourites against an under par Rajasthan Royals in match number 45 of IPL 2020 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Having gone down to Kings XI Punjab after two Super Overs, Mumbai bounced back with a thumping 10-wicket triumph over Chennai Super Kings. Rajasthan, however, go in having been crushed by Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets.

While MI are at the top of the points table, RR are languishing at the seventh spot with eight points. Among the few worries for Mumbai is the fitness of skipper Rohit Sharma. The MI captain missed the clash against CSK owing to a hamstring injury. In his absence though, Ishan Kishan grabbed his chance with a smashing fifty. MI are in peak form with Quinton De Kock (368) among the runs and Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard making key contributions.

Against Chennai, Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah were unplayable as they ran through the CSK batting. Both Boult and Bumrah are having a tremendous tournament. Leggie Rahul Chahar has also made his presence felt with 13 wickets.

RR’s failure has been the result of lack of quality performances. Skipper Steve Smith has played a few fine knocks, but has had a bad season overall. Apart from a couple of 70s, Jos Buttler too has struggled. Sanju Samson has completely lost rhythm while Ben Stokes’ much-awaited inclusion has failed to make a difference.

Their bowling has been all about Jofra Archer’s one-man show. Pacers Karthik Tyagi, Jaydev Unadkat and Ankit Rajpoot have not provided the desired support while leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal has been having an average run.

Head-to-Head Record: The two teams have met 21 times in the IPL so far, and MI hold the slightest of leads with a 11-10 margin.

MI Predicted XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Rohit Sharma/Saurabh Tiwary, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard (C), Krunal Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah

RR Predicted XI: Ben Stokes, Robin Uthappa, Sanju Samson (wk), Steven Smith (C), Jos Buttler, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Ankit Rajpoot, Kartik Tyagi

Pitch Report

The pitch at Abu Dhabi has something for everyone. In Saturday’s match, KKR posted 194 and then restricted DC to 135. Batting first thus might be the preferred option.

Weather conditions

The temperature will be around 33 degree Celsius at the start, and will fall to the 20s as the night progresses.

--Renin Wilben

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