🏏IPL 2025 - Match 50 RR vs MI at Jaipur @ 7:30 PM IST🏏

🏏IPL 2025 - Match 50: RR vs MI at Jaipur on 1st May 2025 @ 7:30 PM IST🏏

Riding high on confidence after its victory over Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals (RR) will aim to make it two wins in a row when it takes on Mumbai Indians (MI) on Thursday.

RR, currently placed at the eighth position, will be desperate to keep its playoff hopes alive, while MI, sitting comfortably in the third spot, will aim to continue its five-match winning streak.

Big picture - RR alive, but only just

Across all the matches played over 18 seasons of the IPL, a select few remain etched in the collective memory. The mention of Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals is likely to evoke a night of chaos, disbelief, and unforgettable drama from 2014.

It was the night when Corey Anderson tore into RR's attack, James Faulkner delivered that full-toss, and Aditya Tare etched his name in IPL folklore with the winning six. It was the night when Rahul Dravid, usually so unflappable, flung his cap to the ground in frustration. It wasn't just a cricket match, it was pure theatre.

Eleven years on, as RR and MI meet once again, this time in Jaipur, echoes of that 2014 night at the Wankhede reverberate again. There's heightened expectation of something just as jaw-dropping unfolding at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, fueled by what the 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi did on Monday night.

Suryavanshi's 38-ball 101 ended RR's streak of failed chases and five stinging defeats. It also kept them alive in the tournament, at least mathematically. But there's no time for them to revel in the afterglow with games coming thick and fast. On Thursday, RR face an MI outfit gathering momentum like a rolling stone, unbeaten in five games and now perched in the top two.

Rohit Sharma has regained his timing, a fit-again Jasprit Bumrah is bowling like only he can, Suryakumar Yadav is coaxing the ball to every corner, Trent Boult is hooping them around, and Will Jacks has put on two impactful performances after a lukewarm start to the season. There's suddenly an air of invincibility around MI.

Thursday's clash, in essence, is one between a team reignited and one in full flight.

In the spotlight - Suryavanshi and Rohit

Vaibhav Suryavanshi began his IPL journey with a six and has now rocketed into the spotlight with a stunning century. As his bat-swing and hand-eye coordination turn heads, teams are watching closely. RR batting coach Vikram Rathour has revealed that Suryavanshi is among the few batters readily welcoming Jofra Archer's hostility in the nets. With a clash against Jasprit Bumrah looming, all eyes will be on the boy wonder once again.

Kieron Pollard sees the shift in the tone of press-conference questions as a reflection of Rohit Sharma's rising form. After tallying just 56 runs in his first six innings and missing a game due to a niggle, Rohit has returned with scores of 26, 76*, 70, and 12, each innings displaying his trademark powerplay aggression. His change in fortunes has also mirrored MI's stirring run of wins. Can he sustain this surge?

Team news and probable XIIs

Sanju Samson will remain on the sidelines as he nurses a side strain.

Rajasthan Royals (probable): 1 Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Nitish Rana, 4 Riyan Parag (capt), 5 Dhruv Jurel (wk), 6 Shimron Hetmyer, 7 Shubham Dubey, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Maheesh Theekshana, 11 Sandeep Sharma, 12 Yudhvir Singh.

Corbin Bosch made a superb first impression after coming in as a replacement for an unwell Mitchell Santner in MI's previous game against Lucknow Super Giants, hitting 20 off 10 balls and picking up 1 for 26. If Santner has recovered, it'll be an interesting selection dilemma for Hardik Pandya.

Mumbai Indians (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Ryan Rickelton (wk), 3 Suryakumar Yadav, 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Will Jacks, 6 Hardik Pandya (capt), 7 Naman Dhir, 8 Corbin Bosch/Mitchell Santner, 9 Deepak Chahar, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Jasprit Bumrah, 12 Karn Sharma.

Pitch and conditions

Pace on the ball worked to Gujarat Titans' disadvantage in the previous game in Jaipur, while Rashid Khan conceded just 24 in his four overs. For RR, Maheesh Theekshana was able to get some grip off the surface, taking 2 for 35. On Thursday, though, the fast bowlers on both sides - Archer for RR, Boult and Bumrah for MI - have the quality to find answers in all conditions. Weather-wise, conditions are expected to remain oppressive with temperatures having touched 40 degrees Celsius.

• RR have won their last five games against MI in Jaipur. Their last defeat came in 2012.
• Sandeep Sharma has a favourable match-up against Rohit. He has dismissed him five times in 12 T20 innings while conceding just 38 runs off 44 balls.
• Suryakumar Yadav has equalled Robin Uthappa (10) for most consecutive scores of 25 or more in the IPL.
• Bumrah's economy rate of 7.5 is the best among fast bowlers who've delivered 10 or more overs this season

Pitch Report – Sawai Mansingh Stadium

The Sawai Mansingh Stadium is likely to be a high-scoring one, just like the previous match played here. The pitch will be hard with a good grass covering, allowing the ball to come on nicely to the bat, especially early on. Batters can play their shots freely, while bowlers will need to stick to good lines and lengths during the powerplay. Dew is likely to play a significant role in the second innings, making it tougher for bowlers to grip the ball. Notably, 39 out of 60 IPL games have been won while chasing. Spinners might find some help as the pitch dries up, but it is expected to be a decent batting deck with an uneven bounce.

RR vs MI Probable Best Performers

Probable Best Batter Prediction – Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR)

Rajasthan's dependable opener Yashasvi Jaiswal could be the best batter in the upcoming game against the Mumbai Indians. With 426 runs in 10 matches, Jaiswal currently sits in the fourth position on the highest run-getter list this season. Notably, in his last five innings, he has produced four fifty-plus scores and was dismissed on 49 against RCB. The Southpaw will be running high on confidence and look to hammer the MI bowlers all around the park.

Probable Best Bowler Prediction – Hardik Pandya (MI)

MI's skipper Hardik Pandya could be crucial with the ball in the forthcoming match against the Royals. Pandya, who has taken 12 wickets in nine games, is currently the second-highest wicket-taker for his side. Interestingly, the all-rounder's record at this ground in IPL has been decent, taking three wickets in four games at an average of 33.00 and an economy of 9.28

Today's Match Prediction: Team bowling first to win the match

Scenario 1

If Rajasthan Royals bowls first:

• MI PP: 45-55
• MI Total: 195-200
• RR to win

Scenario 2

If Mumbai Indians bowls first:

• RR PP: 55-65
• RR Total: 200-205
• MI to win

Rajasthan Royals:

Injuries/Unavailability: Samson, who was suffering from side strain, is back in training, knocking the ball and participating in warm-up routines. However, he is unlikely to feature in the game on Thursday.

Tactics & Matchups: Sandeep Sharma has enjoyed tremendous success against Mumbai Indians in the past, including picking five wickets at the venue last season against them. He has been especially successful against Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, dismissing them 5 and 4 times respectively. Expect him to play a key role in the powerplay.