Mumbai Indians are riding a wave of momentum, having secured five consecutive victories
Pic: IPL/X/AFP
As IPL 2025 races toward its business end, the playoff picture remains wide open. Nine out of ten teams are still in contention, with only Chennai Super Kings officially knocked out of the race.
In this tightly contested scenario, every match holds immense value, and Thursday’s clash between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur is no exception.
Mumbai Indians are riding a wave of momentum, having secured five consecutive victories. A win in this match could see them rise to the top of the points table. However, their biggest challenge may come from teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who stunned everyone with a blistering century against Gujarat Titans in his previous outing. While his form is red-hot, MI possess the firepower to counter his threat.
Hardik Pandya: While Suryavanshi looked in total control against GT, it was notable that their pacers didn’t test him with hard-length deliveries, a potential weakness. Skipper Pandya, whose natural bowling length sits around back of a length, could be the perfect candidate to exploit this gap. Known for his aggressive mindset, Pandya might even open the bowling to surprise the youngster with short-pitched deliveries and unsettle him early.
Jasprit Bumrah: The undisputed leader of Mumbai’s bowling unit, Bumrah is arguably the best bowler in the world. Suryavanshi, 14, will be facing a completely different class of bowling than what he encountered against GT. Bumrah’s arsenal of variations, combined with his precision under pressure, makes him a nightmare for any batter, let alone a teenager new to the big stage. Though he began this season slowly due to injury, Bumrah has found his rhythm and form, making him a daunting prospect for any opposition batter.
Will Jacks: An unconventional choice perhaps, but Jacks could prove to be a masterstroke. Deployed often as a partnership-breaker by captain Hardik, Jacks has impressed this season with both economy and wicket-taking ability. Against the left-handed Suryavanshi, Jacks’ off-breaks will turn away, adding another layer of difficulty. With a better economy rate than even Bumrah, Jacks’ subtle variations could outfox the teenager at a crucial stage.
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