The Mumbai Indians (MI) will square off against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 1 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. This encounter marks the third match for both teams in the ongoing IPL 2024 season. Mumbai Indians find themselves at the bottom of the points table with zero points from two matches, whereas Rajasthan Royals sit comfortably at number three with 4 points from two games.
MI’s Performance
MI faced a disappointing start to their campaign, suffering defeats in both their previous matches. They lost to Gujarat Titans (GT) by a narrow margin of 6 runs in their tournament opener on March 24 and then succumbed to a 31-run loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 27.
RR’s Journey
On the other hand, RR began their IPL 2024 journey on a positive note, securing victories in both their initial fixtures. They first triumphed over Lucknow Supergiants (LSG) by 20 runs on March 24 and then outplayed Delhi Capitals (DC) with a 12-run win on March 28. In their previous encounters, Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals have locked horns 28 times in the IPL. MI holds a slight edge with 15 wins, while RR has emerged victorious on 12 occasions. Notably, one match between these two teams ended in a tie. Mumbai’s highest total against RR stands at 214, while Rajasthan’s highest score against MI is 212.
Recent Encounters
In recent times, Mumbai Indians have dominated Rajasthan Royals, clinching victory in 4 out of their last 5 meetings. However, RR’s last triumph against MI dates back to IPL 2022. At the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai has emerged victorious in 5 out of the 8 matches played against RR.
Pitch Report
The Wankhede Stadium is known for its batting-friendly pitches, often resulting in high-scoring encounters. While spinners might find some assistance, the shorter boundaries pose a challenge for them. As for the weather, the temperature in Mumbai is expected to hover around 30 degrees Celsius at the start of the match, gradually dropping to 27 degrees Celsius later on. Although there is no forecast of rain, the humidity levels are likely to be high, reaching up to 73%.
Prediction
According to Google’s win probability, Mumbai Indians hold a 53% chance of emerging victorious against Rajasthan Royals in their upcoming clash. Considering their recent form and head-to-head record, MI are anticipated to secure their first win of the season, thereby climbing up the points table.
The MI vs RR encounter promises to be an enthralling battle between two competitive teams, each eager to claim victory and bolster their position in the IPL 2024 standings. As the action unfolds at the Wankhede Stadium, cricket enthusiasts can expect a thrilling contest between bat and ball.
