JOIN USWest Indian duo of Kieron Pollard and Alzarri Joseph will be in the spotlight when Mumbai Indians lock horns with a struggling Rajasthan Royals here on Saturday.
The focus will also be on Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma. A leg spasm had forced Rohit to miss an IPL game for the first time in 11 seasons when he sat out of Mumbai's last game against Kings XI Punjab.
In his absence, stand-in skipper Pollard ensured MI continued their good run as his whirlwind 83-run knock helped the side script a three-wicket win in a humdinger on Wednesday.
The winning runs were hit by the 22-year-old Alzarri Joseph, who has been the new sensation in this year's league.
After a dream debut where he returned with best IPL figures of six for 12 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Joseph (15 not out) played a crucial cameo against Kings XI to take the team home.
It would be interesting to see whether the Antigua-born Joseph and the big-hitting Pollard can carry their form into Saturday's game.
Another bowler who would be in focus is Jofra Archer, who had given Rajasthan Royals a chance to defend 151 against Chennai Super Kings on Thursday night with a superb spell of fast bowling.
Mumbai are currently placed in the third spot with four wins from six matches, while Rajasthan are languishing at the seventh position with a solitary win from six matches.
Rohit's injury had given a scare to India ahead of the World Cup but Pollard has made it clear that the skipper missed the last game just as a precautionary measure and he should be back in the next game.
"Obviously, Rohit is the captain of the team and it was only a precautionary measure for the team. He should be back in the next game," Pollard had said.
Rohit's inclusion will not only put to rest any doubts about his fitness but also boost the Mumbai's batting line-up, which also comprises Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya and ever-reliable Surya Kumar Yadav.
Rajasthan would be wary of MI's attack after they were reduced to 53 for three by CSK. None of the batsmen could score a big knock with Ben Stokes emerging as the top-scorer with 28 runs.
RR's batting line-up, including skipper Ajinkya Rahane, Sanju Samson, Steve Smith and Jos Buttler will need to pull up their socks to confront the Mumbai bowlers at the Wankhede Stadium.
Archer had a decent outing against Chennai Super Kings and his performance would also be key.
Rajasthan pacers Jaydev Unadkat and Dhawal Kulkarni along with Shreyas Gopal and leggie Riyan Parag would have to deliver for their skipper if they have to stay alive and make it to the Playoffs.