Mumbai Indians (MI) are slight favourites to beat Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 13 of IPL 2026 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Tuesday, April 7. Bookmakers price MI around 1.82-1.88 odds (implied win probability of ~53-55%).
However, this is one of the closest contests of IPL 2026 so far. RR are 2-0 and flying, while MI are 1-1 after a dominant KKR win was followed by a loss to DC. Rain (65% chance) adds further uncertainty. This article covers the odds, predicted XIs, pitch report, weather, head-to-head, and match prediction.
How RR and MI Have Started IPL 2026
RR have been one of the best teams in IPL 2026 so far with 2 wins from 2 matches. They demolished CSK by 8 wickets in Guwahati (chased 127 in 12.1 overs) and then beat GT by 6 runs in a nail-biter at Ahmedabad. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (52 off 17 vs CSK) and Yashasvi Jaiswal have been sensational, combining for 567 runs across 9 innings together as an opening pair.
Ravindra Jadeja (2 wickets vs CSK against his former franchise) and Jofra Archer (consistently clocking 145+ kph) have been excellent with the ball. Under new captain Riyan Parag, RR look settled, aggressive, and well-coached.
In contrast, MI had a tale of two halves. They started brilliantly, beating KKR by 6 wickets at Wankhede, where Rohit Sharma smashed 70+ runs and Ryan Rickelton added a rapid fifty. But then they lost to DC by 6 wickets in their second match, with Hardik Pandya absent due to illness, exposing middle-order fragility.
The good news for MI is that Hardik Pandya has recovered and is expected to return for this match. Mitchell Santner has also joined the squad, adding spin-bowling depth. This will be MI’s first away game of the season, testing their road credentials.
RR vs MI Match Details
Here are the key details for Match 13 of IPL 2026.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | RR vs MI, 13th Match |
| Tournament | Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 |
| Date | Tuesday, April 7, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | ACA Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati |
| Live Streaming | Star Sports Network / JioHotstar |
RR vs MI Betting Odds Comparison
This is one of the most evenly priced matches of IPL 2026. MI are marginal favourites on squad strength, but RR’s current form and home advantage at Guwahati keep the gap razor-thin.
| Platform | RR Win Odds | MI Win Odds | Implied MI Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stake | 1.92 | 1.88 | ~53% |
| Bet365 | 1.95 | 1.85 | ~54% |
| 1xBet | 1.95 | 1.85 | ~54% |
| Betfair | 1.98 | 1.82 | ~55% |
MI sit at roughly 53-55% implied win probability. However, the prediction actually backs RR to win based on their current form, home advantage, and Sandeep Sharma’s record against MI’s top order. This is genuinely a coin-flip contest that could be decided by the toss, weather, or a single brilliant individual performance.
RR vs MI Predicted Playing XIs
Hardik Pandya returns for MI after missing the DC game due to illness. Mitchell Santner has also joined the squad. RR are expected to be unchanged after beating GT
Rajasthan Royals (RR) Predicted XI
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma, Nandre Burger. Impact: Ravi Bishnoi.
RR’s opening pair of Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi (567 runs together across 9 innings) is the most explosive combination in IPL 2026. If they fire against MI’s pace attack in the powerplay, the match could be decided early.
Sandeep Sharma holds the key with the new ball. He has dismissed Rohit Sharma 5 times and Suryakumar Yadav 4 times in T20s, conceding only 71 runs against the duo in 76 balls. That record makes him RR’s most dangerous weapon against MI’s top order.
Mumbai Indians (MI) Predicted XI
Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (c), Sherfane Rutherford, Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult. Impact: Mayank Markande.
Hardik Pandya’s return transforms MI’s balance. He adds batting depth at No. 5, provides 2-3 overs of pace, and his captaincy sharpness in the field is invaluable. Without him against DC, MI’s middle order crumbled. With him, they are a different team.
Bumrah and Boult opening together is the most feared new-ball pair in the IPL. Mitchell Santner adds left-arm spin variety on a Guwahati pitch that offers grip for spinners. Ryan Rickelton replaces Quinton de Kock as keeper-opener and has already shown his class with a rapid fifty against KKR.
ACA Barsapara Stadium Pitch Report
The Barsapara Stadium has offered a balanced contest between bat and ball in IPL 2026. The average first innings score is 167 in 6 IPL matches at this venue, lower than many other IPL grounds.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | Flat with turn for spinners as game progresses. Balanced surface. |
| Batting Conditions | Good for stroke-play. 200+ totals are defendable but not guaranteed. |
| Bowling Conditions | Early movement for pacers. Spinners dominate middle overs as pitch grips. |
| Avg. 1st Innings Score (IPL) | 167 (in 6 games at this venue) |
| Highest Total (IPL 2026) | 202/6 by RR vs CSK at this venue |
| Toss Impact | Teams batting first and chasing have won 3 each. No significant toss bias. |
Why This Pitch Suits RR More Than MI
Guwahati’s pitch is not a flat batting road like Wankhede or Eden Gardens. It offers assistance to spinners in the middle overs and rewards smart bowling. That suits RR’s balanced attack (Archer pace + Bishnoi/Jadeja spin) more than MI’s pace-heavy approach.
MI have thrived at Wankhede but struggled away from home. Since 2023, MI have won just 9 of 24 away games, the worst away win-loss ratio (0.6) among all IPL teams. Guwahati’s conditions could expose that weakness.
Weather Forecast for RR vs MI
Rain is the elephant in the room. Guwahati has a significant chance of rain on Tuesday evening, which could lead to interruptions, a reduced match, or even an abandonment.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Around 19-29°C (cooler than most IPL venues) |
| Weather | Partly cloudy with scattered thunderstorms |
| Rain Probability | 65% chance of rain during match hours |
| Humidity | High (75-87%) |
| Wind | 10-14 km/h |
| Match Interruption Risk | HIGH. Rain could reduce the match or cause delays. |
The 65% rain probability (live weather data for April 7) is the highest rain risk for any IPL 2026 match so far. If rain curtails the match, DLS could come into play, changing the equation entirely. Captains may prefer to bat first in case rain reduces the game, as the team batting first has an advantage in shortened matches.
RR vs MI Head-to-Head Record in IPL
MI hold a slight edge in this rivalry, but recent form has been more balanced.
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Total IPL Matches Played | 30 |
| MI Wins | 16 |
| RR Wins | 14 |
| MI Wins in Last 8 Meetings | 5 |
| MI’s Away Record Since 2023 | 9 wins from 24 games (worst in IPL) |
| Key Individual Battle | Bumrah dismissed Hetmyer 6 times in 23 balls |
| RR’s Trump Card | Sandeep Sharma has dismissed Rohit 5 times, SKY 4 times |
The Bumrah vs Hetmyer Battle
This is one of IPL’s most fascinating individual matchups. Jasprit Bumrah has dismissed Shimron Hetmyer 6 times in just 23 balls, conceding only 17 runs. That is a staggering record of dominance by the world’s best fast bowler against one of T20 cricket’s most destructive finishers.
If Hetmyer walks in during the death overs with RR needing 40 off 20, and Bumrah has overs left, expect high drama. This battle alone could decide the match.
Sandeep Sharma: MI’s Kryptonite
On the flip side, Sandeep Sharma is MI’s worst nightmare with the new ball. He has dismissed Rohit Sharma 5 times and Suryakumar Yadav 4 times in T20s, conceding only 71 runs in 76 balls against the duo. If Sandeep gets either of MI’s two best batters early, the entire match dynamic shifts towards RR.
Key Players to Watch
This match is loaded with individual matchups that could swing the result. Here are the players most likely to determine Tuesday’s outcome.
| Player | Team | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | RR | 567 runs in partnership with Sooryavanshi across 9 innings. IPL’s most dangerous opening batter right now. Can dominate any bowling attack in the powerplay. |
| Sandeep Sharma | RR | Dismissed Rohit 5 times and SKY 4 times in T20s. Only 71 runs conceded in 76 balls against them. RR’s new-ball trump card against MI. |
| Jofra Archer | RR | Faces his former franchise MI. Express pace at 145+ kph. 2 wickets vs GT showed he is in rhythm. Will be motivated to perform against old teammates. |
| Rohit Sharma | MI | Smashed 70+ vs KKR to announce his intent. 38 years old but still MI’s most important batter. Experience at the top is invaluable on a tricky Guwahati pitch. |
| Jasprit Bumrah | MI | Dismissed Hetmyer 6 times in 23 balls. The best fast bowler in T20 cricket. His 4 overs could single-handedly decide the match. |
| Hardik Pandya | MI | Returns after illness. His all-round ability (bat + bowl + field) transforms MI’s balance. Without him vs DC, MI crumbled. With him, they are title favourites. |
| Shimron Hetmyer | RR | T20 WC 2026 star (248 runs, avg 41.33). But faces nemesis Bumrah in the death overs. This matchup is the game within the game. |
Toss Prediction
At Barsapara, there is no significant toss bias. Teams batting first and chasing have each won 3 matches in 6 IPL games here. That makes this one of the rare IPL venues where the toss is less decisive.
However, the rain factor changes the equation. With a 65% chance of rain, the captain winning the toss might prefer to bat first and put a score on the board. In rain-curtailed matches, the team batting first has a DLS advantage if they’ve posted a competitive total. If skies are clear by toss time, expect the winner to bowl first for the dew advantage.
Match Prediction
Two quality sides in contrasting form meet on a balanced pitch with rain lurking. This has all the ingredients for a dramatic encounter.
Where RR Holds the Edge
Home advantage at Guwahati is significant. RR know this ground from their impressive CSK demolition, and the crowd support adds energy. Their current 2-0 record gives them confidence and momentum that MI, at 1-1, can’t match.
Sandeep Sharma’s record against Rohit (dismissed 5 times) and SKY (4 times) is RR’s biggest tactical advantage. If he strikes early in the powerplay, MI’s chase or total could unravel. On a Guwahati pitch that offers swing with the new ball, Sandeep becomes even more dangerous.
RR’s spin options (Jadeja, Bishnoi as impact player) suit Guwahati’s pitch, which offers grip for spinners in the middle overs. MI’s pace-heavy approach may not be as effective on a surface that rewards variety.
Where MI Holds the Edge
Squad depth is MI’s superpower. Rohit, Rickelton, Tilak Varma, SKY, Hardik, and Rutherford give them six genuine match-winning batters. No other IPL team has this kind of batting depth from 1 to 6.
Bumrah and Boult together is the most lethal new-ball pair in IPL history. Boult’s left-arm swing and Bumrah’s accuracy create relentless pressure from both ends. On a Guwahati pitch with some early movement, this pair could tear through RR’s top order.
Hardik Pandya’s return is a game-changer. Without him against DC, MI lost by 6 wickets. He adds batting at No. 5, bowling options in the middle overs, and razor-sharp captaincy. MI with Hardik and MI without Hardik are genuinely two different teams.
Key Concerns For Both Teams
RR’s concern is their bowling depth beyond Archer. Tushar Deshpande (economy 9.84 in IPL career) and Nandre Burger are capable but inconsistent. Against MI’s explosive batting lineup, a single expensive over could shift the match entirely. Captain Riyan Parag (14 off 11 vs CSK, modest contributions so far) also needs to step up with the bat.
MI’s concern is their away record. Since 2023, they have won just 9 of 24 away games, the worst win-loss ratio (0.6) among all IPL teams. Guwahati is unfamiliar territory for a squad built around Wankhede’s conditions. The rain threat also adds uncertainty, and MI may not handle a shortened game as well as RR, who already chased 127 in just 12.1 overs at this venue.
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Final Verdict: MI Looks Strong Side But RR Holds Great Records Against MI In Previous Matches
MI are marginal favourites at around 53-55% on squad strength alone. However, some predictors back RR to win based on current form, home advantage, and Sandeep Sharma’s record against MI’s top order.
This is genuinely a 50-50 contest that could go either way. The Bumrah vs Hetmyer and Sandeep vs Rohit individual battles will likely decide the outcome. Rain could also play a decisive role, potentially reducing the match or causing an abandonment.
Expect a competitive contest with a par score around 175-190 on Guwahati’s balanced surface. Unlike the 200+ totals at Wankhede and Eden Gardens, this pitch rewards smart cricket over brute force.
