Mumbai seek return to winning ways
Match facts
Rajasthan v Mumbai, JaipurSunday, April 11
Start time 2000 (1430 GMT)
Big Picture
Mumbai Indians have lost two in a row but there's no need for them to hit the panic button yet. They are still top of the table, and reaching the semi-finals should not be too tough. What will worry them is the misfiring batting, which has failed twice in two matches, and still looks dependent on Sachin Tendulkar. Their bowling, though, with the trio of Lasith Malinga, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh at its heart is among the best in the tournament.Mumbai are up against a confident Rajasthan Royals, coming off two contrasting wins - a come-from-behind thriller against Deccan Chargers and a demolition of Kings XI Punjab - that has resurrected their chances of making the final four. Add to that their perfect record at Jaipur - eight wins in eight - and Shane Warne's boys should provide a stiff challenge to the table-toppers. A victory for Rajasthan will give them a share of the lead in the standings, but defeat could leave them needing to win both their remaining matches.
Form guide (most recent first)
Rajasthan Royals WWLLW
Mumbai Indians LLWWW
Team talk
Mumbai's overseas allrounders haven't been at their best this season. With Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo struggling, Sanath Jayasuriya could get another look-in. JP Duminy should retain his place after top-scoring against Punjab. Ryan McLaren's place could also be under scrutiny after failing with the bat, and being given only two overs.Rajasthan left out both Morne Morkel and Shaun Tait in the match against Punjab, but might decide to pick one of them to inject some pace into the attack for Sunday. Adam Voges could be the one to miss out after not getting to bat or bowl against Punjab.
Previously
Rajasthan 2 Mumbai 2The previous encounter between the two teams this season will be remembered for the ferocious hundred from Yusuf Pathan that nearly took Rajasthan to an incredible victory. Mumbai eventually prevailed by four runs.
In the spotlight
Yusuf Pathan v Harbhajan Singh: Yusuf has a liking for the spinners, and had carted Mumbai's attack in the absence of Harbhajan when the teams met earlier in the tournament. Mumbai's main spinner will have a key role in shackling him on Sunday.The openers: Both sides have openers who are in form - Sachin Tendulkar and Shikhar Dhawan for Mumbai, Michael Lumb and Naman Ojha for Rajasthan - and they'll have a huge role in shaping the outcome of the game.
Prime numbers
- Sachin Tendulkar's solidity through the tournament has meant that Mumbai have been the best team in the Powerplays, scoring at 9.13 and losing only eight wickets in ten matches.
- Rajasthan's 66 sixes is the second-highest by a team in the tournament so far; Mumbai are bottom of the list with 41.
The chatter
"[The] team is very happy to be back here, we like playing out here, we have got a good record and I think we are in a good space at the minute."Michael Lumb says the Rajasthan camp is a happy place after two wins in a row
Siddarth Ravindran is a sub-editor at Cricinfo