The Rajasthan Royals (RR) are set to host the Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 13 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) on April 7. Scheduled for 7:30 PM IST at the ACA Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, this clash features two of the league’s heavyweights at a venue known for high-scoring thrills.
The Rajasthan Royals enter this contest with a perfect record, having notched two wins from their opening two matches. Following a dominant win over CSK, they recently defended 210 in a nail-biting six-run victory against the Gujarat Titans. Conversely, the Mumbai Indians are looking to bounce back after a disappointing six-wicket loss to the Delhi Capitals, where they struggled to accelerate, posting only 162. Before that, MI went on to overcome KKR at the Wankhede Stadium.
What is the Context of the RR vs MI match?
The primary narrative for the Rajasthan Royals is their red-hot form under captain Riyan Parag. The opening duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and the young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has provided electric starts, while Dhruv Jurel has anchored the middle order with poise. Returning to Guwahati—a secondary home for RR and Parag’s home turf—the Royals look nearly unbeatable in these familiar, humid conditions.
For the Mumbai Indians, the focus is on stability and the return of captain Hardik Pandya, who is expected to feature after missing the last game due to illness. While Rohit Sharma remains in vintage touch, having already scored a half-century this season against KKR, the middle order and bowling unit lacked bite in their previous outing. Facing a rampant RR side in Guwahati will test whether MI’s star-studded core can find its rhythm.
A look at the H2H record
Historically, the rivalry between the Rajasthan Royals and the Mumbai Indians is one of the most balanced in the IPL. The sides have clashed in 31 meetings. Mumbai Indians have won 16 games. Rajasthan Royals have managed 15 wins. At the Barsapara Stadium, both teams have enjoyed high-scoring games, but RR’s local familiarity often gives them a slight psychological edge.
RR – Probable Playing XI
Yashasvi Jaiswal: The explosive opener recently scored a quick-fire 55 against GT. He hammered 38* versus CSK in RR’s IPL 2026 opener.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: The teenage prodigy providing fearless starts alongside Jaiswal. He owns scores of 52 and 31 in IPL 2026.
Dhruv Jurel (wk): He is in peak form after a brilliant 75-run knock in the previous match. Versus CSK, he managed a score of 18.
Riyan Parag (c): Leading from the front at his home ground, Parag is a vital middle-order cog. He will aim for a skipper’s knock.
Shimron Hetmyer: The designated finisher is capable of clearing any boundary. He remains valuable in RR’s middle order.
Donovan Ferreira: He provides all-round balance and additional power-hitting. He scored 1 run in the previous game but didn’t bowl.
Ravindra Jadeja: The veteran all-rounder brings elite spin and lower-order stability to this RR side. He claimed 2/18 versus CSK. Against Gujarat, he went wicketless and scored an unbeaten 7.
Jofra Archer: Facing his former franchise, Archer’s extreme pace is RR’s X-factor. He will aim to trouble Rohit Sharma early on.
Nandre Burger: Providing the left-arm angle and raw speed at the start. He has done well, claiming three scalps from two games.
Tushar Deshpande: Proved his worth by defending 11 runs in the final over against GT. He has plenty of pedigree as a pacer.
Sandeep Sharma: The swing specialist is still up and running and provides a shield as a death-bowling expert.
Impact Player: Ravi Bishnoi (The leg-spinner took a match-winning 4/41 in the last game).
Player to watch out for (Dhruv Jurel): His 75-run masterclass against GT showed he is the backbone of the RR side this season.
MI – Probable Playing XI
Rohit Sharma: The 38-year-old is in sublime form. He owns scores of 78 and 35 this season.
Ryan Rickelton (wk): The South African opener will be looking to provide a brisk start. After shining against KKR, he suffered an early dismissal against DC.
Suryakumar Yadav: He stood in for the absent Pandya and scored a fighting 51 in the loss to DC. He is always a threat in the middle overs.
Tilak Varma: A consistent performer who adds left-handed variety to the top order.
Hardik Pandya (c): He is expected to return to the XI to provide leadership and all-round depth.
Naman Dhir: A rising domestic talent providing middle-order aggression. MI could need him to provide fireworks in the backend.
Mitchell Santner: The spin-bowling all-rounder who offers control and lower-order runs.
Trent Boult: The master of early breakthroughs, Boult is expected to return to the side for this clash against his former team.
Jasprit Bumrah: The world’s premier T20 bowler and MI’s primary weapon at the death, Bumrah has done well in both of his side’s games.
Corbin Bosch: A useful seam-bowling all-rounder who can chip in with crucial wickets.
Deepak Chahar: Tasked with providing early movement with the new ball. He did a reasonable job in the previous game versus DC.
Impact Player: Mayank Markande (The leg-spinner will be crucial if the track offers a turn).
Player to watch out for (Rohit Sharma): He has looked in good touch in both games so far. He will try to shine against RR and chip in with the goods.
Dream11 Strategy & Top Picks
Top Batters for Dream11
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma are must-haves. Dhruv Jurel is a high-value pick given his recent form. Suryakumar Yadav remains the most dangerous T20 batter on his day. Sooryavanshi can complete the batting unit.
Best All-Rounders to Boost Points
Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya (if playing) offer points in multiple departments. Donovan Ferreira is a sneaky good pick for his finishing ability.
Bowlers to Watch in Dream11
Ravi Bishnoi and Jasprit Bumrah are perennial wicket-takers. Jofra Archer is an excellent choice for early breakthrough points.
Captaincy & Vice-Captaincy
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Suryakumar Yadav are top captaincy choices. For a differential play, consider Riyan Parag as captain at his home ground and Ravi Bishnoi as deputy.
Pitch Report & Venue Conditions
The Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati is a high-scoring venue with relatively short boundaries. Historically, the team batting second has a significant advantage, winning four of the last five games. The surface is expected to be flat with some initial help for spinners who can find extra bounce.
The weather forecast predicts a humid evening (78% humidity) with a 33% risk of thunderstorms, which could lead to a shortened game. Dew is almost certain to play a major role in the second innings, making bowling first the preferred option at the toss.
Match Prediction – Who Has the Upper Hand?
Despite the Mumbai Indians’ historical pedigree, the Rajasthan Royals start as favourites, largely due to their current momentum and home advantage in Guwahati. However, if MI’s senior core—Pandya, Rohit, and Bumrah—clicks simultaneously, they can derail the RR winning streak.
FAQs About RR vs MI Playing 11
Who are the key players in the RR vs MI clash?
For RR, the focus is on Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravi Bishnoi. For MI, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah remain the pivotal figures.
Who is the captain for each team?
Riyan Parag leads the Rajasthan Royals (RR), while Hardik Pandya is expected to captain the Mumbai Indians (MI) after recovering from a fever.
What is the start time?
The match begins at 7:30 PM IST on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
