Kolkata: The match will determine the Chennai Super Kings opponents in the Sunday summit clash at the same venue as Rajasthan Royals will now look to crush the mighty Mumbai Indians in the second qualifier here today.On paper, Mumbai Indians may appear stronger but Rajasthan will be high on confidence after their four-wicket win against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eliminator match.
In a shocking last week, the Royals were shaken to the core by the spot-fixing scandal. Just when they needed something special, a 29-ball 54 by Brad Hodge not only boosted their morale of the team but revived the Royals campaign by taking into the second qualifier against Hyderabad.
Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, are coming here after a 48-run thrashing by Chennai Super Kings in the first qualifier. They had been defeated in their last league match as well, suffering a 50-run loss to Kings XI Punjab.The team is hopeful of the recovery of senior batsman Sachin Tendulkar.Unlike Rajasthan, Mumbai Indians are on a balanced side. But it is not just about talent as proper application has turned out to be their real problem.Mumbai Indians had their best run in 2010, finishing runners-up to Chennai Super Kings besides winning the Champions League Twenty20 the next year.
In the ongoing edition, they are still struggling to find a regular pair of openers. Mumbai Indians are yet to get their combination right even after 17 games. Mumbai would also take confidence from Dwayne Smith`s ominous form as they found an explosive opener in the West Indian who struck a 28-ball 68. On the flipside, Dinesh Karthik and skipper Rohit Sharma could not capitalise and choked under pressure.That they have a superior spin attack in Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha would prove to be a crucial edge for the Mumbai Indians on the sluggish Eden wicket.
Likewise, Royals have the batting firepower in the Aussie duo of Shane Watson and Brad Hodge with the latter coming to form just at the right time.The 38-year-old Victorian, who made his T20 debut in 2003, is arguably the most-experienced player in the shortest format with 5548 runs from 195 matches.
When it comes to Eden, Mumbai have an edge having won more than the Royals. The last time Royals came here, Rahul Dravid was too defensive with his strategy. But time has come for the Rajasthan Royals to play some aggressive cricket. Rahul Dravid said spot-fixing scandal was like “a bereavement in some ways” but this is the man who has put his arm around every shoulder, young and old, within the Rajasthan ranks, encouraging and coaxing and cajoling them to leave off-field stuff off the field and get on with it when Rajasthan squared off against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator in New Delhi on Wednesday.
