Indian Premier League - IPL / Ed Hawkins / 09 April 2010 /

Mumbai Indians, the runaway league leaders, have had a wobble recently and they face a stiff test against Rajasthan on Sunday. Ed Hawkins thinks they could be toppled again

Team news
Mumbai Indians have decided to rest players ahead of the semi-finals. But they are not there yet. Dwayne Bravo sat out the loss to King's XI. He should return although Kieron Pollard may be allowed bench time. JP Duminy should keep his place after his first appearance of the season.

Rajasthan were clinical against King's in their last game and should keep the same XI. That means no place for the often wayward Shaun Tait with Indian find Aditya Dole continuing with the new ball.

Venue/conditions
This will be only the second game played in Jaipur. The first, played four days ago, was on a sluggish wicket with King's Xi failing to move past eight an over. This was consistent with the 2008 IPL contests played there. The average first-innings score was 160. Factor that in to runs wagers.

Match odds
The Royals are a must at a tasty-looking [2.18] with Mumbai in danger of being exposed as homesick. Mumbai have three times played outside of their home city in this IPl and twice they have been beaten.

The defeat to King's XI would have rocked their confidence and suddenly they look vulnerable, especially against a Rajasthan side who will have done their homework on the league leaders. Mumbai need only one win to claim a semi spot but Rajasthan may make them wait.

The sluggish nature of the surface in Jaipur plays perfectly into the hands of Shane Warne. He will look to stifle the Mumbai batting by taking the pace off the ball, similar to the way King's derailed them.

The key wicket will be that of Sachin Tendulkar. If Rajasthan get him cheaply, then the Mumbai batting does not look so dangerous. Players visibly shrink without the Little Master around them while Pollard, who has disappointed, seems to be crumbling under the expectation of fast runs.

Featured market
Rajasthan have hit 65 sixes to Mumbai's 41 in IPL3, a statistic which suggests the hosts should be heavy favourites for most sixes. The market is not yet formed but don't be surprised if it has the wrong jolly when it does come up.

Top batsman
The last time these sides met, Yusuf Pathan hit a blistering ton off 37 balls in defeat. Together with Michael Lumb, Naman Ojha and Shane Watson he forms a potent top four for Rajasthan. Ambati Rayudu top scored for Mumbai in that game when they posted a massive 218.

Trivia
Dole made his Ranji Trophy debut against Rajasthan, took 10 wickets in an innings against them in 2008 and then signed for the IPL franchise.

Ed Hawkins says: back Rajasthan at [2.18]

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