MI vs RR: 5 Player Battles To Watch Out For

Debashis Sarangi

image-lh3dzen9Rajasthan Royals are placed second in the points table [Source: AP]

Tonight, Mumbai Indians will lock horns with Rajasthan Royals in the 42nd match of the Indian Premier League 2023. Both teams comprise some outright match-winners, so we expect a fascinating clash in at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, there are some on-field rivalries which can determine the outcome of the game. Let's analyse and list such five player battles to watch out for in this face-off. 


Rohit Sharma vs Trent Boult

image-lh3dnrgiRohit Sharma in action [Source: AP]

Rohit Sharma and Trent Boult have been stalwarts for India and New Zealand, respectively, in international cricket. However, once Rohit's MI teammate, Boult, has an upper hand over the Indian talisman, dismissing him four times in T20 cricket. 

Rohit Sharma vs Trent Boult (in T20 cricket): 48 balls, 67 runs, four dismissals, Avg- 16.75


Sanju Samson vs Piyush Chawla

image-lh3dpuh9Sanju Samson has been underwhelming [Source: AP]

Piyush Chawla has been the go-to man for Mumbai Indians in the middle overs, scalping eleven wickets in seven outings at a brilliant economy of 7.11. 

MI will need the veteran spinner to weave his magic against Sanju Samson, whom he has dismissed twice in T20s. However, Samson has also scored at a strike rate of 155.6 against him, so we expect a cracking battle between these two players. 

Sanju Samson vs Piyush Chawla: 36 balls, 56 runs, 2 dismissals


Suryakumar Yadav vs Yuzvendra Chahal

image-lh3dto5cSuryakumar Yadav in action [Source: AP]

Suryakumar Yadav has been on and off with the bat in the IPL this season, managing only 146 runs at a miserable average of 20.86. Hailed as India's Mr 360, Yadav will have an uphill task in front of himself, as he will be up against Yuzvendra Chahal, who has dismissed him thrice in T20s. 

Suryakumar Yadav vs Yuzvendra Chahal: 63 balls, 76 runs, three dismissals


Jos Buttler vs Jason Behrendorff

Jason Behrendorff will get some assistance off the pitch and can move the new ball up front. Therefore, although he hasn't got Jos Buttler out yet, his battle with the swashbuckling Englishman in the power play will be interesting. 


Tilak Varma vs Ravichandran Ashwin

image-lh3dwu89Tilak Varma has been MI's go-to man [Source: AP]

Tilak Varma has been the most consistent performer with the bat for Mumbai Indians, garnering 219 runs at a magnificent strike rate of 154.03. However, his on-field battle with Ravichandran Ashwin will be fascinating, as the wily off-spinner has dismissed him once in T20s. 

Tilak Varma vs Ravichandran Ashwin: 16 balls, 24 runs, 1 dismissal