Rajasthan Royals players get ready for the all-important clash.
| Photo Credit: R.V. MOORTHY
On Monday, Gujarat Titans bore the brunt of a Vaibhav Suryavanshi storm at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. At just 14 years and 32 days, he made the cricketing world sit up and take notice.
Displaying maturity beyond his age, Suryavanshi dismantled seasoned bowlers with utter disdain during his breathtaking century. Despite that morale-boosting victory, concerns persist for Rajasthan Royals.
While the win over Titans kept Royals mathematically alive in IPL 2025, a bigger test of their playoff credentials awaits in the form of a red-hot Mumbai Indians here on Thursday.
The top-order remains under pressure to score the bulk of the runs, while the middle-order frequently falters, particularly during run chases.
The bowling attack, apart from Jofra Archer, has been leaking runs willy-nilly. To add to the team’s woes, fielding has also been below par.
MI — from languishing in the penultimate spot just a fortnight ago — has staged a dramatic comeback, winning five consecutive matches to sit in the second spot heading into this contest.
Rohit Sharma’s return to form, Suryakumar Yadav’s match-defining performances, and Hardik Pandya’s tactical clarity, like the way he has used his bowlers, particularly Will Jacks, have all contributed to MI’s revival.
Jasprit Bumrah, fresh from a fiery four-wicket haul against Lucknow Super Giants, will pose the most daunting challenge for RR’s fragile middle-order.
Published – April 30, 2025 08:32 pm IST
Content Source: www.thehindu.com