IPL 2018, RR vs MI: Mumbai Indians (MI) probable playing 11 against Rajasthan Royals (RR)

After losing their first three matches, Mumbai Indians went into the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore knowing that victory was paramount and their captain Rohit Sharma delivered a Man of the Match performance to get them on the board in IPL 2018.

Mumbai Indians go into their game against Rajasthan Royals needing a win to keep in touch with the top four in the IPL points table and ensure that they don't have a mountain to climb later in the season. Will they make any changes to the playing 11 that won them their first game of this season? Or will they stick with it and hope that the performance level improves and they make it two in a row.

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Here is a look at what Mumbai Indians probable playing 11 to face Rajasthan Royals might look like:

Openers

Evin Lewis has taken to life of being the Mumbai Indians opener like a duck to water. He is the side's leading run-getter in the series and although he has had different opening partners, he has been incredibly consistent in getting his side off to a good start.

Alongside him will be Suryakumar Yadav, who was given the job of opening the batting alongside Lewis and has so far done a good job. The right-hander may not be as explosive as Lewis but he has shown that he is not just there to play second fiddle to the West Indian opener.

Middle-order

A lot of questions were raised when Mumbai Indians splashes the cash on Ishan Kishan in the IPL Auction 2018. There were those who wondered whether he would even feature in the playing 11 but he has proven his detractors wrong with some crucial cameos.

Rohit Sharma has been known to fiddle with his own batting position but the game against RCB proved that wherever he bats, if he gets going, there are few bowling attacks that are capable of stopping him.

Extra Cover: Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians: Match Prediction

All-rounders

After not bowling a single ball in the opening game against CSK, Krunal Pandya has been sensational in the last three games, picking up five wickets at an economy rate of just 6.5. He has also contributed with the bat and shown that he is a force to be reckoned with in all facets of the game.

While Hardik Pandya got off to a good start in the opening game, he has simply not been the same since. He hasn't been as effective with the ball or bat and will want to show that it is just a minor blip.

The story of Kieron Pollard so far in the IPL has been a curious one. He hasn't bowled a single ball in the tournament and often bats too low to make much of an impact. But what he does provide to the side is plenty of experience and some options with both bat and ball.

Pacers

The Mumbai Indians pace attack hasn't really got going so far in the tournament. The pace trio have combined for just 13 wickets in IPL 2018. Jasprit Bumrah is the leader of the pace attack but even he has just five wickets from four matches. His economy rate of 7.7 is also on the higher side considering his lofty standards and the right-arm pacer will be striving to be amongst the wickets once again.

Mustafizur Rahman has been the pick of the pacers as far as wickets are concerned. His five wickets though have come at an economy rate of 9 and that is something that he will want to improve upon.

Although he has played just two matches, Mitchell McClenaghan has been very expensive. He has picked up three wickets but they have come at an economy rate of almost 10 and unless that improves he might find himself out of the Mumbai Indians playing 11.

Spinner

Arguably the pick of the Mumbai Indians bowlers has been Mayank Markande. The leg-spinner has eight wickets from his four matches and from being an unknown commodity he has quickly transformed himself into being one of the first names on the Mumbai Indians playing 11.

He is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, along with three others but he has played the fewest matches among the quartet. His wickets have come at an economy rate of just 7.5, which is simply stunning for a leg-spinner.

Mumbai Indians probable playing 11: Suryakumar Yadav, Evin Lewis, Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Mitchell McClenaghan, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah, Mustafizur Rahman