IPL 2019: MI, KXIP, DC eye top spot as RR seek comeback
After another action-packed week in the Indian Premier League 2019, we now head towards the weekend double-headers. As usual, all eight teams will be in the action. We will kick off the proceedings today with Rajasthan Royals hosting Mumbai Indians. The match will be followed by a tussle between the North Indian teams. Kings XI Punjab shall play at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium, Delhi against the home team.
Rajasthan Royals versus Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians, three-time IPL champions, are normally slow-starters who gather late momentum. This year, the story has been different. The team in blue has found different heroes performing for the side on different occasions. With five wins from their nine matches, MI finds themselves in the top half of the points table. With another win here against Rajasthan Royals, they will want to consolidate their position.
Pink team, Rajasthan Royals, have struggled in various departments. Their batting unit has not been able to score big runs and been too dependent on Jos Buttler to give headstart. Stars like Ben Stokes, Ajinkya Rahane, Jaidev Unadkat have failed to fire for the team. Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal and Buttler have carried the side thus far but RR needs to come out of their shadow. A home game against Mumbai Indians will provide them the opportunity to prove their mettle.
Numbers that matter:
Rajasthan Royals have three consecutive wins over Mumbai Indians. Rahane’s men defeated MI twice in the IPL 2018 and began with a victory in the IPL 2019 also.
Hardik Pandya has a strike rate of 194.64 in IPL 2019.
Delhi Capitals versus Kings XI Punjab
Home advantage is extremely effective in the IPL. Every team plays seven matches at its home ground and tries best to maximize their points while playing on the familiar track. Not Delhi Capitals. They are one franchise which has struggled to pick up wins at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. The low and slow Delhi track has not suited the batting style of DC batsmen. They have faced collapsed frequently. Coming into this clash against KXIP, they will want to correct their approach.
Both KXIP and DC are standing on 10 points with five victories from their nine games. Kings XI Punjab have been the most controversial side in the tournament with their captain, R Ashwin, leading with his surprising moves. Their batting unit appears to be increasingly reliant on Chris Gayle and KL Rahul while the bowling combination is being constantly shuffled. Moving ahead in the competition, KXIP will want to persist a steady team combination.
Numbers that matter:
KXIP have reigned over DC in the last four IPL matches that these two have played. The overall Head-to-head record stands at 14-9.
