The memories of UAE 2014 have been dead and buried in a way like it never existed for Mumbai Indians. Even before any other team has found its perfect XI, they have registered three wins in five games and found themselves at the top of the points table. Three out of their top four batsmen have scored fifties, the finishers have blasted like no other team and the pace attack has proven to be the most lethal in the tournament so far. For a superstitious team that MI is, it’s as if they’ve forgotten that it’s an even year and glory is unlikely to come easy.

Several teams have carried on with their successful combinations from the previous year and yet no one has looked as smooth in 2020 as the defending champions. Jasprit Bumrah may not have fired as consistently as he usually does, Hardik Pandya – the bowler – is missing, and Suryakumar Yadav and Rahul Chahar are yet to give standout performances. Yet, they have all contributed at different times, in different ways — most importantly, effectively. There remains no weak link in the side and everyone has warmed up well already.

But even in this perfection, there is one area that the Sunrisers Hyderabad managed to expose in MI’s previous game. As the pacers came angling from around the stumps and pitching it full, Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard, despite scoring 39 in 4.2 overs, struggled to accelerate the way they usually do in the death overs – this despite the predictability of the plan. In Jofra Archer and Tom Curran, Rajasthan Royals have two bowlers who can exploit the same, unless they have other ideas in MI’s next encounter.

Not all has been well for the Steve Smith-led side so far in the competition. Despite winning their first two games, they find themselves in the bottom-half of the table. The arrival of Ben Stokes in UAE is good news for the team but he won’t be available against Mumbai Indians. Jos Buttler hasn’t hit form and Smith’s early dismissals are exposing the out-of-touch middle order. Much like Mumbai Indians, different players have stood up at different times for Royals, but they haven’t necessarily contributed to their wins. However, in what has been a closely-contested tournament so far, it is a matter of one win that can push them significantly higher. But against Mumbai Indians, the scope to err is likely to be minimal.

What to expect: Dew has played its part and hasn’t as well. The conundrum over whether to bat first or chase in Abu Dhabi continues. Mumbai Indians, despite playing three games here, are yet to chase. Royals, on the other hand, were easily mauled after batting first in their only game at the venue. Long boundaries would mean a lot of running. And with temperatures hovering around the mid-30s, expect fitness levels to be challenged.

When:October 6, 2020, Tuesday, 19:30 IST

Where:Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Team News:

Mumbai Indians: Everyone is in form and even as details on Nathan Coulter-Nile’s availability are awaited, they wouldn’t be fretting too much. An unchanged XI is expected.

Likely XI:Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, James Pattinson, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah

Rajasthan Royals:Ben Stokes won’t be available as he is serving quarantine. The form of Robin Uthappa has been worrisome and with MI unlikely to play an off-break bowler, the Royals’ management might be tempted to play Yashasvi Jasiwal, the 18-year-old southpaw. With pacers doing well in Abu Dhabi, there is also a chance for Royals to opt for an express pacer in the form of Oshane Thomas or Varun Aaron

Likely XI: Jos Buttler (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal/Robin Uthappa, Sanju Samson, Steve Smith (c), Riyan Parag. Mahipal Lomror, Tom Curran, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat/Varun Aaron

What they said:

“The last two games haven’t gone to plan for us after what was a really good start to the tournament. But I guess that’s the way T20 cricket goes sometimes. We haven’t played our best games in our last two and have been outplayed by the opposition on both occasions. It’s about regrouping and moving forward now, trying to get better and get some wins on the board in the coming games. Hopefully I’m able to score a few runs tomorrow. I’ve missed out on the last two games but that happens. We’ll see which of our players fit in our plans for tomorrow’s match and fit in certain scenarios in the game and try and get the best match-ups for Mumbai.” – Steve Smith, Rajasthan Royals skipper

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