The State of Play
The Mumbai Indians have made their customary slow start to the new IPL season and go into Monday’s home game with the Rajasthan Royals still seeking their first win.
A six-run defeat to Gujarat Titans was followed by a loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad in which Pat Cummins’ victorious side posted a whopping 277 from their 20 overs – a competition record.
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It is not the start new captain Hardik Pandya would have wanted after taking over from five-time title-winning skipper Rohit Sharma, with his use of star bowler Jasprit Bumrah also drawing plenty of criticism.
Pandya has been booed by fans in both the first two matches, which has angered veteran Royals’ spinner and India team-mate Ravichandran Ashwin.
Ashwin told his YouTube channel: “People should remember which country these players represent. It’s our country.
“Fan wars should never take such an ugly route. I’ve said it many times, this is cinema culture that happens only here.
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“I know there are many things like marketing, branding, and positioning. I don’t deny it, but have you seen these fights happen in any other country? Have you seen, for instance, Joe Root and Zak Crawley fans have a fight? Or Joe Root and Jos Buttler fans fight? It’s crazy. Do you see Steven Smith fans fighting with Pat Cummins fans in Australia?”
It’s unlikely to get any easier for Pandya and the Indians when the Royals come to town.
Sanju Samson’s side have won both of their opening two fixtures – against the Lucknow Super Giants and the Delhi Capitals. And they have done so with two of their big names, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler having yet to fire.
𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀.𝗺𝗼𝘃 🎥🧤#MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/6BOSoHYLNs
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 31, 2024
Expected line-ups
Mumbai Indians: Sharma, Kishan (wk), Dhir, Varma, Pandya (c), David, Shepherd, Coetzee, Bumrah, Chawla, Mulani
Rajasthan Royals: Jaiswal, Buttler, Samson (c, wk), Parag, Ashwin, Jurel, Boult, Khan, Sharma, Chahal, Ahmed
How to watch
Sky have the rights to show the IPL to UK viewers in 2024 and will broadcast every game live. Monday’s match will be shown on Sky Sports Cricket from 1.50pm GMT. Coverage on Sky Sports Main Event starts at 2pm.
In India, the games can be streamed on the Jio Cinema app and website. They are also available across the Star Sports Network.
Hi there, Dhruv Jewel 💎😍 pic.twitter.com/8Cj4RVVOOZ
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 31, 2024
Prediction
Jaiswal and Buttler have to hit form at some point and if they do, it could spell more misery for Pandya.
The hosts will be hoping India stars Sharma and Bumrah help ease the pressure on their captain but we feel the Royals will have too much for the Indians and fancy an away win.
