IPL 2020 has just started to heat up and there are a few teams whose crack lines are visible. There are other teams like Delhi Capitals which are increasing the points gap between themselves and the bottom half of the table. Mumbai Indians are placed second on the table and after a slow start to the tournament with a loss to CSK, they have come back like the champions that they’re known to be.
After the inaugural game of IPL 2020, MI has played 4 games, won 3 and lost one to RCB in a super over. With Quinton De Kock also finding form in the last game, the defending champions seem to be peaking at the right time. They possess the class of Rohit, QDK, and Suryakumar Yadav coupled with the fearsome bowling trio of Bumrah, Boult, and Pattinson. However, their real strength is the 3 all-rounders in Pollard, Pandya, and Pandya. These 3 provide them the balance which other teams can only hope for.
Rajasthan Royals on the other hand started the tournament with a bang but they were found out in the bigger grounds and slower pitches of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. They’re coming off two straight defeats and will be looking to redeem themselves against the tournament favorites. They will be bolstered by the return of Ben Stokes, but he will only be able to join the squad next week.
The match will be played in Abu Dhabi and one would hope that the captains will learn from past mistakes and not choose to bowl first. Virat Kohli made the error last night and they were handsomely beaten by Delhi Capitals, albeit in Dubai. Mumbai Indians start as strong favorites and Rajasthan Royals will be heavily dependent on their top 3 once more.
5 must-have players in your Fantasy XI
Jos Buttler – Jos Buttler started off fluently against RCB in the previous game but was undone by a great catch from Devdutt Padikkal. Buttler is due for some big runs and he should be the captain of your team.
Rohit Sharma – Rohit Sharma has already played two crucial inning with the bat and having missed out in the last game, expect him to deliver big time. Hitman can be the ideal vice-captaincy candidate.
Suryakumar Yadav – Suryakumar Yadav has looked a million bucks while he has been out there in the middle. However, the right-hander has found freak ways to be out. He has been unluckily run out in two of the 5 games. He’s generally in good nick and today luck might finally be on his side.
Tom Curran – Tom Curran will enjoy the slower Abu Dhabi conditions while bowling. His cutters and slower ones are likely to stick in the wicket. He can give you some crucial points while batting too.
Rahul Chahar – Rahul Chahar has been mighty impressive in the last couple of games. He will enjoy the big boundaries and slow pitch in Abu Dhabi.
Cricket Cult’s Fantasy XI for MI vs RR
1) Jos Buttler (c), 2 Rohit Sharma (vc), 3) Steve Smith, 4) Suryakumar Yadav, 5) Keiron Pollard, 6) Quinton De Kock, 7) Sanju Samson
8) Rahul Chahar, 9)Tom Curran, 10) Jasprit Bumrah , 11) Jofra Archer