Archer under scrutiny as Mumbai look to end losing streak: MI’s probable XI vs RR | Cricket
Five-time champions Mumbai Indians (Mi) will take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2023 On 30 April at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The Rohit Sharma-led side lost their last two games in a row and would be hoping to get back to winning ways against RR. MI have won three and lost four of their seven matches so far this season. He is currently at the eighth position in the points table.
MI lost to RCB and CSK in their opening two matches but then bounced back with three consecutive wins against DC, KKR and SRH. Mumbai Indians have since then lost consecutive games against PBKS and defending champions GT. Last time against GT, MI lost by 55 runs as they could not chase down the target of 208 set by GT batsmen as MI bowlers hit all over the park. MI’s top order surrendered and MI were reduced to 59/5 and eventually ended with 152/9.
Tilak Verma is currently the top run-scorer for the team with 219 runs at a strike rate of 154. Ishan Kishan has so far scored 183 runs in seven matches and captain Rohit Sharma has scored 181 runs. He is having another inconsistent season and MI will be hoping that their charismatic captain is back to his best soon. Cameron Green has played an innings of 199 and has started showing good form recently after two 50 plus scores in the last few matches. SKY has also scored 146 runs this season so far, but he looks like a shadow of his always destructive self.
Jofra Archer returned to the team after recovering from injury but was expensive against PBKS and missed the last game due to illness. If he is fit, he will be expected to come straight back into the line-up in place of Meredith.
Jason Behrendorff and Riley Meredith have done well this season. Both have taken 14 wickets jointly so far. Piyush Chawla has been the surprise package for Mumbai Indians so far this season. The veteran spinner is the top wicket-taker for the team with 11 wickets so far at an economy of 7. Cameron Green has also taken 5 wickets. Hrithik Shokeen and Arjun Tendulkar have also taken some important wickets.
Arjun Tendulkar has bowled well so far apart from the game against Punjab where he conceded 31 runs. Shokeen is expected to be back in the team for Karthikeya. Tim David, Nehal Wadhera, Arjun Tendulkar, Kumar Karthikeya or Sandeep Warrier could be impressive player options for MI against GT. MI will need an all-round improvement to move up the table and be a part of the playoffs as they are one of the weakest sides in the tournament at the moment.
Openers: Rohit Sharma (C), Ishan Kishan (WK).
Middle Order: Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Tim David.
All-rounders: Cameron Green, Hrithik Shokeen.
Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Jason Behrendorff, Piyush Chawla, Arjun Tendulkar.
