Rejuvenated Rajasthan Royals Face Shaky Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026 Clash

Hardik Pandya likely to return as MI seek to overcome inconsistent start; Rohit Sharma leads Orange Cap race with 113 runs

Match Details & Venue

The 13th match of IPL 2026 will see Rajasthan Royals take on Mumbai Indians at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. The toss is scheduled for 7:00 PM IST on Tuesday, with play commencing at 7:30 PM IST. Both teams have had contrasting starts to their campaigns this season.

RR’s Dominant Opening

Rajasthan Royals have roared back to form with two consecutive victories. Sanju Samson’s men defeated five-time champions Chennai Super Kings and 2022 winners Gujarat Titans. The side looks rejuvenated and balanced, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi providing explosive starts. Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger have also found their rhythm with the ball.

MI’s Inconsistent Run

Mumbai Indians opened their campaign with a win against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium. However, they stumbled in their second outing against an in-form Delhi Capitals. Skipper Hardik Pandya is expected to regain full fitness for this clash. If unavailable, Suryakumar Yadav will once again lead the side.

Head-to-Head Record

Mumbai and Rajasthan have faced each other 31 times in IPL history. MI hold a slight edge with 16 victories, while RR have secured 14 wins. One match ended without a result. When the two teams met in 2025, Mumbai dominated Rajasthan by 100 runs, posting 217 before bowling out RR for 117.

Key Player Battles

Rohit Sharma currently sits third in the Orange Cap race with 113 runs from two matches. His strike rate against Jofra Archer, however, remains a concern – just 34 runs off 34 balls with three dismissals. Another intriguing contest awaits as Jasprit Bumrah prepares to face RR opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for the first time. For RR, Dhruv Jurel has scored 94 runs at a strike rate of 200, while Ravi Bishnoi has taken four wickets with an economy of 8.33.

Pitch & Weather Report

The Barsapara Cricket Stadium pitch is made of red soil and expected to have some moisture due to overcast conditions. Boundary sizes measure 61m and 70m on the square, with 74m straight. The surface offers a fair balance between bat and ball. According to Accuweather, Tuesday night will see a low of 18°C with partly cloudy skies. There is a 40 per cent probability of precipitation and a 24 per cent chance of thunderstorms.

Where to Watch

Fans can catch the live action on the Star Sports Network. Live streaming will be available on the JioHotstar app. Follow live coverage on the Bhaskar English app for real-time updates and analysis. The team winning the toss is likely to field first given the conditions.