While the Royals still possess a slim mathematical chance of qualifying for the play-offs, the management appears to have reconciled with the reality of their standing
Pic: IPL/X
Rajasthan Royals won the toss and opted to bowl first against the resurgent Mumbai Indians, hoping to disrupt the momentum of the five-time champions in a high-stakes IPL 2025 clash on Thursday.
Despite a season marked by inconsistency and missed opportunities, the Royals have found renewed hope in teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The 14-year-old prodigy has taken the tournament by storm, potentially playing the knock of the season earlier this week. His rapid rise has provided a silver lining in what has otherwise been a turbulent campaign.
While the Royals still possess a slim mathematical chance of qualifying for the play-offs, the management appears to have reconciled with the reality of their standing. A side strain has sidelined captain Sanju Samson since April 16, paving the way for Suryavanshi's fairytale debut. In just three innings, the southpaw has become the focal point of the cricketing conversation.
With Samson still unavailable, Suryavanshi will once again partner Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top. Their electrifying 166-run stand against Gujarat Titans made light work of a daunting 210-run chase, showcasing a fearless brand of cricket. But Thursday presents a sterner test, facing Jasprit Bumrah, arguably the most feared pacer in world cricket.
In the middle order, Shimron Hetmyer has struggled to replicate his explosive best, with the sluggish surfaces further dampening his effectiveness. Rajasthan’s inability to close out matches from dominant positions has haunted them repeatedly this season.
Bowling remains a concern. While Jofra Archer has picked up wickets, he’s also leaked runs at nearly 10 per over. Sandeep Sharma too has been expensive, and notably, none of their frontline pacers boast an economy rate under nine.
For Mumbai Indians, the return of Jasprit Bumrah has catalysed their resurgence. The perennial slow starters are now on a five-match winning streak under Hardik Pandya’s leadership, climbing to the summit of the points table.
Another bright spot for Mumbai has been Corbin Bosch, who impressed on debut with a strike rate of 200 and a crucial wicket. With seasoned stars like Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav firing again, Mumbai appear to be peaking at the perfect time.
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