IPL 2014: Mumbai Indians (MI) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR) – Key Battles

Wankhede Stadium has been a fortress for Mumbai Indians and they will back themselves to pull this off © IANS

Mumbai Indians (MI) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) enter the last group phase match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2014 with everything to play for. It is a virtual knockout match as either team
can qualify for the IPL 7 playoffs with a win at Wankhede Stadium on May 25. While Rajasthan need a win to ensure progress, Mumbai need a massive win to overturn their net run-rate. Shrikant Shankar highlights the key battles that could decide the match.
Lendl Simmons vs Kevon Cooper
Lendl Simmons has been an absolute revelation for Mumbai Indians ever since he was picked. In only six matches, the West Indies batsman has scored 315 runs. He has struck two half-centuries and, more importantly, the only century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2014 so far. He will face fellow West Indian Kevon Cooper at Wankhede Stadium on May 25. Cooper has not had the best of series with the ball, but Mumbai need a massive victory to overcome the odds and qualify for the playoffs. Cooper could just prove an unlikely hero for Rajasthan if the Mumbai batsmen try to hit too many boundaries.