With less than 10 days to go for the crowning of the IPL 2021 winner, it comes down to the battle for the fourth spot that's being contested so fiercely. Of the four teams vying for the spot, KKR are best-placed given their superior NRR. However, Rajasthan Royals can throw a spanner in their works should they win the remainder of their two games - the first of which is against the Mumbai Indians.
PREVIEW - RR VS MI
Fight for fourth spot intensifies as RR take on MI
The equation for RR is quite simple: they need to beat both MI and KKR to make the playoffs © BCCI/IPL
The defending champions have punched below their weight since resumption. They've lost four out of their five games in the UAE. Part of the reason has been their batsmen struggling against some of the two-paced wickets in the heat of the Middle East. No batsmen in the MI line-up has struck over 120 since the league moved. They've struggled to get the spinners away and have failed to accelerate in the middle overs with a misfiring middle order. That said, MI still have a side that can overcome any opponent on their day, and as history has shown, they bring out their best game when their backs are against the wall.
On the other hand, if anyone can overcome the might of MI, it is RR, and it shows in their record against them since 2018; they've won 5 of their 7 clashes against Rohit Sharma's side. RR have struggled for consistency themselves, but
