RR skipper Riyan Parag admitted the team is treating the contest like a virtual knockout and stressed the importance of capitalising on the opportunity in front of them.
”We would have bowled first as well. We know this could be our last game of the season and we want to play as if it is, aiming for the win. If you look at the season overall, there have been some terrific performances. Everything that we’ve put together so far this season has really been an inspiration. I feel all the praise, all the energy that went into this tournament, this is the right time, the right opportunity. Just really maximise those opportunities, go ahead and win. Toda is a must win, if we win, we qualify and won’t need any help from the other match. Three changes – Nandre (Burger) comes in, so does (Ravindra) Jadeja and myself,” Parag said at the toss.RR made three changes to their playing XI, bringing in Nandre Burger, Ravindra Jadeja and Parag himself.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya said Mumbai chose to chase because of the expected improvement in batting conditions later in the evening.
”We will bowl first. It looks like a good track and it tends to get better in the evening. It’s a very special day, overall, the Reliance Foundation has helped and impacted 29 lakh people. It’s a privilege to be part of this. Every year we come here, we know this specific game will have the loudest and best atmosphere. We just want to play good cricket for the kids and make sure they leave with some great memories. The pitch looks hard and it should get better once the sun goes down. It’s been a tough season for us, but we want to finish on a high. Jassi (Jasprit Bumbrah) is resting and Deepak Chahar is in,” Hardik said at the toss
Mumbai also made a key change to their lineup, resting Jasprit Bumrah while bringing back Deepak Chahar into the playing XI.
Playing XIs and Impact subs of MI and RR
Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel(w), Riyan Parag(c), Donovan Ferreira, Shubham Dubey, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Yash Raj Punja, Brijesh Sharma
Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Ryan Rickelton(w), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Will Jacks, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, AM Ghazanfar, Raghu Sharma
Rajasthan Royals Impact subs: Ravindra Jadeja, Sushant Mishra, Aman Rao Perala, Ravi Bishnoi, Tushar Deshpande
Mumbai Indians Impact Subs: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Rawat, Robin Minz, Krish Bhagat, Trent Boult