Daijiworld Media Network

Mumbai, May 15: Welcome one and all to the match between Mumbai and Rajasthan. Mumbai will be looking to follow Rajasthan's footsteps by winning all their matches at home. On the other hand, Rajasthan are high on confidence after their wonderful win over Chennai and they will look for a similar performance. This contest will be high on passion despite the fact that both teams have qualified for the knock-outs.

Tendulkar is not playing this game.

Rajasthan have won the toss and elected to field.

Rohit Sharma: 'We would like to finish on a winning note at home. We have had a wonderful wicket here and the groundstaff have been working hard. It is important to finish in the top 2. I would have batted first and this is our strength. Tendulkar is not playing as he has some problem with the tendon in his hand. Aditya Tare replaces him. Glenn Maxwell replaces Dwayne Smith.'

Dravid: 'We have been experimenting with our side a lot. We have to play according to the conditions and we have not changed the way how we prepare. We look to have a couple of wins before the knock-outs. I am lucky to have had a great team both on and off the field. The team spirit has been good and it has been an easy job to captain this side. It is lovely to play in Mumbai and we are looking forward to the challenge. This contest is more of a David vs Goliath game for us as Mumbai have all the big names. It looks like a good deck and we perform better while chasing. Everyone is fit and ready. We have a couple of spinners in this team. Ankeet Chavan and Pravin Tambe replace Siddharth Trivedi and Vikramjeet Malik.'

Teams:

Mumbai (Playing XI): Dinesh Karthik(w), Aditya Tare, Rohit Sharma(c), Glenn Maxwell, Kieron Pollard, Ambati Rayudu, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell Johnson, Lasith Malinga, Pragyan Ojha, Dhawal Kulkarni

Rajasthan (Playing XI): Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Dravid(c), Shane Watson, Sanju Samson, Brad Hodge, Stuart Binny, Dishant Yagnik(w), James Faulkner, Kevon Cooper, Ankeet Chavan, Pravin Tambe

Match Preview

We are in the final week of the league matches and still awaiting confirmation regarding which teams will make it to the top four. Rajasthan and Mumbai will be in a tough battle to secure a confirmed spot and thereby consolidate their position. In their previous encounter, Rajasthan destroyed Mumbai beating them by 87 runs and will be keen to repeat the extra-ordinary feat once again. Meanwhile, a super-confident Mumbai team will be looking to win their last home game and finish with 8 out 8 at their happy hunting ground.

Mumbai

They are one of the top two teams of the tournament and currently looking down on other teams boasting of a very good net run rate. With two games remaining, out of which one of them at home, Mumbai will be backing themselves confidently up for this one. After nearly escaping from jaws of defeat against Hyderabad, they will not take Rajasthan lightly and look to seal their spot in the play-offs once and for all.

In form player: Rohit Sharma - The captaincy stint has done a whole lot of good for Rohit Sharma. Not only has he led the side well taking near-perfect decisions inspiring the young brigade, he has also been chipping in with the bat with some powerful hitting. With 457 runs this season, he would be looking to continue what he is doing and make sure that Mumbai does not lose the top spot.

Hit: Keiron Pollard - For long now, the Indian public was waiting for Pollard to click comprehensively. He had had a few scattered performances this season and looked a bit out of touch. All changed in the match against Hyderabad in which Pollard single-handedly saved Mumbai from the jaws of defeat and went berserk with a flurry of sixes. He smashed 66 off just 27 balls and carried Mumbai home. The hosts will be hoping that he works his blitzkrieg once more during their final home game.

Miss: Dhawal Kulkarni - The Mumbai lad has performed exceptionally well in home games and his inclusion in them goes without doubt. However, he has been a tad inconsistent from last couple of matches falling short of expectations. In the previous match against Hyderabad, he went for 42 runs of his 4 overs without taking a single wicket. Against a a tougher opposition like Rajasthan with likes of Rahane, Dravid and Watson in team; he will have to bowl a better line and length and concentrate on getting quick wickets.

Last three matches: Won against Hyderabad by 7 wickets, Won against Pune by 5 wickets, Won against Kolkata by 65 runs

Rajasthan

Underdogs Rajasthan have surprised everyone in this tournament by reaching this far. They have showed a brilliant temperament and are led by one of finest captains and strategist this game has seen. After defeating the powerful Chennai team in their last game and high on confidence they will go with all their might to defeat Mumbai for the second time in this tournament.

In form player: Shane Watson - Once he starts going, there is hardly anything you can do to stop him. He has the uncanny ability to hit powerful shots that confound the opposition's bowlers. He hit a glorious 70 off just 56 balls in the previous match with 6 sixes and a equal number of fours. Watson will be itching to charge against Mumbai and set up another huge total to put pressure on the hosts.

Hit: Stuart Binny - He has been the surprise package for Rajasthan setting up an all-round performance. Not only has his antics with the bat helped stabilize their middle order but his decent bowling has won many hearts. While chasing a modest total in the previous match, Binny made a quick-fire unbeaten 41 to take Rajasthan home in 17 overs itself.

Miss: Ajinkya Rahane - No one doubts Rahane's abilities as a young and talented batsman. He has indeed performed well in the tournament supporting his skipper well. But, he needs a bit of consistency. He got out for mere 9 runs in the last game but this time he will have to support Dravid well and get Rajasthan off to a flying start against a formidable Mumbai attack.

Last three matches: Won against Chennai by 5 wickets, Won against Punjab by 8 wickets, Won against Delhi by 9 wickets

Head to Head: Mumbai - 5, Rajasthan - 5

Quotes:

Rahul Dravid states Rajasthan's secret of success - We have options. We have played 24 players in our 14 matches, which has helped us mix and match, chop and change the playing XI. I am happy that whosoever has come in has delivered for us.

CB Pick: Mumbai - Expect a thriller as home champs Mumbai will play to regain lost honour and avenge the humiliating defeat the last time they played Rajasthan.