What is IPL Match Today, MI vs RR | Expected Changes, Winner Prediction

Rajasthan Players celebrating after a wicket (AP Photo)

It is time for the 1000th match of the IPL, and it is Mumbai Indians (MI) - The five-time champions taking on Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a blockbuster encounter. Mumbai Indians have not been able to put together consistent wins this season and have won just three games out of the seven played so far. RR on the other hand, is a team in form, they have gelled as a unit brilliantly and have won 5 out of their 8 matches. There are power-hitters in both the sides and expect this one to be a high-scoring encounter.

What is the Venue of the MI vs RR Game?

The Mumbai Indians (MI) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR) game will be played at MI's den - The Wankhede Stadium.  MI have almost 60 per cent winning rate in the Wankhede and have been pretty dominant in front of their passionate home crowd over the years. However, they have lost two matches out of the three they have played at Wankhede this season and need to lift their game against a powerful RR unit.

What are the expected changes in the playing XI of MI against Rajasthan Royals?

Mumbai Indians have not been able to click as a unit consistently this season. Their bowling is a big worry especially in the death and with Archer not able to play consistently, they are struggling for quality options in pace department. However, Piyush Chawla has turned back the clock with his crafty leg spin and that would be a bit of respite for Rohit Sharma as a captain.

The good news though is that Jofra Archer is fit and he might replace Riley Meredith in the XI. There is also a lot of talk about Tim David's lack of performance this season and there is a possibility of either Dewald Brevis or Tristan Stubbs coming in.

Mumbai Indians Predicted Playing XI

Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David, Tilak Varma, Arjun Tendulkar, Hrithik Shokeen, Jofra Archer, Piyush Chawla, and Jason Behrendorff. 

Impact Players: Nehal Wadhera, Ramandeep Singh, Kumar Kartikeya, Shams Mulani, and Vishnu Vinod. 

What are the expected changes in the playing XI of Rajasthan Royals against MI?

Rajasthan Royals are a well-balanced unit. Trent Boult could not play against CSK at Jaipur in the last game due to an injury but is expected to be back in place of Adam Zampa at the Wankhede. The batting looks settled now with Devdutt Padikkal also finding form but RR have not used Jason Holder - The Batter this season and that is something they need to look at.

So, it is their batting order that they need to get spot on, otherwise they have all the arsenal to shatter MI's party at the Wankhede.

Rajasthan Royals Predicted Playing XI

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c and wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhurv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jason Holder, Adam Zampa, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Sandeep Sharma.

Impact Players: Donavon Ferreira, Murugan Ashwin, Riyan Parag, KM Asif, and Kuldip Yadav.

Winner Prediction

Rajasthan Royals will surely start the game as favourites and it would be pretty hard to stop them if they are chasing a total. MI bowling attack is their weak link and expect RR to hand MI another loss at their home ground.