RR aim to pile on MI's misery

Outlook

Mumbai Indians are on the cusp of a statistical ignominy. Eight losses is the most they've had in a single edition of the IPL. Traditionally slow starters, they've still managed to win silverware five times, and have never lost more than eight games in a single season before. This time, they're there already with six games to go. Although they're as good as out of the reckoning for a top-four finish, they're one defeat away from equaling the longest losing sequence for any team in an IPL season. In their quest to avoid both this sequence and a team record of ninth loss in a season, they first go up against Rajasthan Royals, who arrive with three wins on the trot.

It's also a special occasion for RR, who will be commemorating and celebrating the illustrious career of the "first Royal" - as they call him - Shane Warne. They will have special kits for the clash against MI with 'SW23' on their collars.

A common factor between both these sides has been playing five specialist bowlers, even if it came at the cost of batting depth. Neither boasted of a long tail, but it didn't hurt RR as much, given their top order's repeated exploits led by Jos Buttler, the orange cap bearer. In stark contrast, MI's batting order just hasn't clicked, minus Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma's consistent scores. Ishan Kishan, who was bought at a whopping 15.25 crores - the second-highest ever for an Indian player in an IPL auction - has looked ordinary alongside Rohit Sharma.

If Buttler's sensational season is not enough, he also boasts great head-to-head numbers against his former franchise. The last time the sides played at the same venue, Buttler