Mumbai Indians will travel to Jaipur to play their 11th game of the IPL against the Rajasthan Royals. The Royals have 12 points from the 11 matches they have played, whereas Mumbai is currently at 14 from 10.
The game suddenly assumes importance for the Mumbai Indians (4/5 at Stan James) who looked like they had qualified for the semi-finals, but two successive losses would have pegged them back. Rajasthan (11/10 at Totesport) also need a win, but they have the momentum with them, having won two successive matches thanks to some brilliant captaincy and team-work that was seen in the first season.
Rajasthan’s change in fortunes, has undoubtedly been scripted by three of their Australian cricketers. Shane Warne’s captaincy has been magical, but it was Adam Voges (7/1 at Stan James to be the best batsman for his team) who kicked off the campaign with a couple of match-turning innings. Then, the entry of Shane Watson (7/2 at Sky Bet to top-score for his side) ensured that not only do the Royals have a strong batsman, who is coming off the best season in his international career, but also a bowler who can give them the wickets.
With the three aforementioned around to take the pressure off the rest of the batsmen, this could be the turn of Yusuf Pathan (4/1 at Sky Bet to help his side topple Mumbai off with the highest score) to unleash himself against the Mumbai Indians.
There is a lot of talk amongst the cricket experts that the Mumbai Indians are overly reliant on Sachin Tendulkar (15/8 at Stan James to top-score for Mumbai in this game). He fails, they say, and the side capitulates, as has happened in the last couple of games. However, that to me, would be taking all the credit away from the likes of Saurabh Tiwary (9/2 at Sky Bet) and Ambati Rayadu (14/1 at Sky Bet to be the best batsmen for their side), who have played more than their part in the middle order.
The worry is more to do with Dwayne Bravo (9/2 at Stan James to top-score for his side) – who was dropped to make way for JP Duminy (9/2 at Stan James) – and Kieron Pollard (8/1 at Stan James, both to be the best batsman for Mumbai), both of whom have made heavy weather of getting the runs.
Mumbai may be favourites to win this one according to the bookies, but to me, there is hardly anything to choose from. If Rajasthan bat first, one gets the sense that they will be favourites to win it.
Tips:
Favourites: Mumbai Indians (4/5 at Stan James)
Top Mumbai batsman: Saurabh Tiwary (9/2 at Sky Bet)
Top Rajasthan batsman: Yusuf Pathan (4/1 at Sky Bet)