Rajasthan Royals are slowly but surely falling behind in the race to play-offs of IPL 2019. To stay in contention for a top four finish, RR need to win at least five of their next six games and their journey begins against Mumbai Indians, who have won four out of their last five matches this season.

Going by numbers, Rajasthan enjoy a significant upper-hand against Mumbai Indians. From 2015 till date, Rajasthan and Mumbai have faced each other five times with the Men in Pink emerging victorious on four occasions. The last one being the four-wicket triumph over Mumbai Indians at their own backyard in Mumbai last Saturday.

Moreover, Mumbai Indians have the worst record in Jaipur. Among all away venues they have played at least 5 matches, they have the least win percentage at this venue, losing 4 out of 5 matches.

Here are the Top five player battles to look forward to in the RR vs MI match

Rohit Sharma vs Dhawal Kulkarni

Rohit Sharma has not been able to take IPL 2019 by storm. While he has got starts in a number of games, that big score has eluded him so far this season. He would look to put up a significant show against the Royals at Jaipur on Saturday. His biggest roadblock would be Royals’ new-ball bowler Dhawal Kulkarni. Apart from being in impressive form with the new-ball, Kulkarni has a good record against Rohit too. The Royals pacer has dismissed the MI captain four times in IPL.

Also Read: Predicted XI of Rajasthan Royals against Mumbai Indians

Hardik Pandya vs Jofra Archer

Hardik Pandya has often said that he has lot of West Indian qualities. His big-hitting in IPL 2019 certainly back his claims. And when Mumbai Indians take on Rajasthan Royals on Saturday, he would be up against a Barbados-born young fast bowler, who too is on the top of his game. Considering the form Pandya is in, Rajasthan actually have very little option but to use their best bowler Jofra Archer against him. The two have come against each other twice and Archer has been able to dismiss Pandya once. But Pandya too has scored at a strike rate of 150 against Archer. It is expected to be a mouth-watering contest.

Quinton de Kock vs Shreyas Gopal

Shreyas Gopal has been a revelation in this IPL. He has not only picked up wickets but has also hardly given away anything whenever he has been asked to bowl in the first six overs. Rahane might once again use his leggie to stop Mumbai Indians’ attacking opener Quinton de Kock in the powerplay. De Kock has been very watchful against Gopal in the IPL. In the 14 balls he has faced off Gopal, the South African keeper has only scored 8 runs. De Kock, however has not given his wicket to Gopal.

Also Read: Mumbai Indians predicted XI against Rajasthan Royals

Ajinkya Rahane vs Hardik Pandya

Considering Ajinkya Rahane dropped himself to No. 4 in the previous match, his match-up against Hardik Pandya in the middle-overs could turn out to be an interesting contest. The last time MI faced RR, Rahane took apart Pandya by hitting him to all parts of the ground. The Royals captain has a strike rate of 220.83 against Pandya in the IPL and the Mumbai Indians all-rounder has been able to dismiss him only once.

Jos Buttler vs Jasprit Bumrah

This could actually decide the fate of this game. Yes, such is the importance of these two players in their respective sides that the outcome of the match might depend on who comes out on top when these two meet. The numbers are slightly in favour of Buttler. He has 26 runs off Bumrah in 16 balls at a healthy strike rate of 162.50 and has only got out once.

First Published: Apr 20, 2019 12:20 IST