In more than a decade in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2015, New Zealand pacer Trent Boult has played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals.
Back at Mumbai Indians from Rajasthan Royals with whom he was from 2022 to 2024, Boult returns to the Sawai Mansingh Stadium to face his old team, hoping to help the five-time champions extend their five-match unbeaten streak and maintain their chances of reaching the playoffs.
But yeah, different colours for me. Obviously looking forward to coming up against an old team and yeah, I feel like we've got a good squad in terms of bowlers that can cater for most conditions. So, just really looking forward to that challenge.
"Yeah, the squad is feeling very good. Obviously, it's a long tournament, would have loved to have started stronger, but there have been good discussions going on the whole season and to turn around our form over the past four or five games and obviously win five games in a row has it is a great feeling.
"We got a great squad, we've got some great experience in the squad and it's nice to see things are clicking at the right time, but still a lot of hard work to be done. Obviously, come up against a good side here on Thursday night and just looking forward to a good encounter," said Boult.
Mumbai Indians have made a grand comeback going unbeaten in five matches, after winning just one match in their first five. The last time the Mumbai Indians won five matches in a row was in 2020 when they went all the way to win the title.
Their opponents Rajasthan Royals are placed eighth and need to win all their remaining four matches to maintain their slim chances of entering the playoffs stage. They face a huge challenge against the in-form team, Mumbai Indians.
Rajasthan’s season turned from bad to worse after they mounted unsuccessful chases from strong positions in three consecutive matches -- against Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals (losing in the super over).
However, in their last encounter against Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals' 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi stole the show by scoring the fastest century by an Indian in the tournament. He, alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, stitched a 166-run stand as they rushed to the target of 210 and completed the chase in 15.5 overs, the fastest-ever 200+ run chase in tournament history.
With Rajasthan winning their last match after four losses, it could be a needle contest between two teams that need to win to maintain their chances of reaching the playoffs.
In 30 matches played between the two teams, Mumbai Indians have won 15 and Rajasthan Royals 14 while one match ended in no result.
Probable playing XIs: Rajasthan Royals: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag (capt), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma.
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Will Jacks, Hardik Pandya (capt), Naman Dhir, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah.
