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MI Bowl First vs RR in Rain-Hit IPL 2026 Clash; Pandya, Boult Return

The IPL 2026 match between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals was reduced to 11 overs per side after a significant rain delay in Guwahati. Mumbai Indians, led by returning skipper Hardik Pandya, won the toss and elected to bowl first, citing the advantage of chasing in a rain-shortened game. Both captains agreed the pitch conditions had changed due to the weather, with Rajasthan's Riyan Parag admitting he would have also chosen to bowl. MI made two key changes, bringing in Pandya and pacer Trent Boult for the crucial encounter.

Key Points: MI vs RR: Rain Shortens IPL 2026 Match, Pandya Returns

  • Rain delays start by 2.5 hours
  • Match reduced to 11 overs per side
  • Hardik Pandya returns as MI captain
  • Trent Boult back in MI playing XI
  • Powerplay shortened to 3.2 overs
2 min read

IPL 2026: Pandya, Boult return as MI opt to bowl in rain-shortened match vs RR

Mumbai Indians bowl first in an 11-over IPL 2026 match vs Rajasthan Royals after rain delay. Hardik Pandya and Trent Boult return to MI's XI.

"In a rain-affected game, it is always worth batting second. - Hardik Pandya"

Guwahati, April 7

Skipper Hardik Pandya returned to the side as the Mumbai Indians elected to bowl first against the Rajasthan Royals in a rain-shortened 11-overs-a-side Match 13 in the Indian Premier League 2026 at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday.

The match is set to start around two and a half hours after the scheduled start of 7.30 pm because of rain that lashed the city since early afternoon.

It will be an 11-overs-per-side match with the Power-play reduced to 3.2 overs or 20 balls. In each innings, four bowlers can bowl a maximum of two overs each, with one bowler allowed to bowl a maximum of three overs. There will be a 10-minute break between innings.

Besides Pandya, Mumbai also brought in pacer Trent Boult for Corbin Bosch, while Afghan spinner AM Gazanfar too was recalled. Rajasthan Royals are unchanged from their previous match.

Pandya said the pitch has been under covers and that in a rain-affected game, it is always worth batting second. He said it is a long tournament and one you cannot win or lose the IPL in the first couple of weeks.

Rajastrhan Royals captain Riyan Parag said he would have bowled first, too. He said the pitch was supposed to be dry, but the rain might have changed those dynamics.

Playing XIs:

Mumbai Indians XI: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (capt), Suryakumar Yadav, Naman Dhir, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, AM Ghazanfar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah

Impact substitutes: Ashwani Kumar, Sherfane Rutherford, Corbin Bosch, Robin Minz, Raj Bawa.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
An 11-over match is so unpredictable! It's basically a T10 game. One big over can change everything. Hope the rain stays away now. Good to see Gazanfar getting another chance.
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Sarah B
As a neutral fan, this is exciting! Shortened games are a pure spectacle. RR's batting lineup vs MI's bolstered bowling. Parag is right, bowling first was the obvious choice on this pitch.
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Aman W
Respectfully, I think MI is still figuring out their best XI. Too many changes every match. Bosch did okay last time, and now he's out? Hope the decision to bring in Boult pays off.
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Karthik V
Guwahati getting an IPL match is great for the Northeast! 🎉 Shame about the rain, but a shortened game means non-stop action. Hoping for a last-over finish.
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Nisha Z
Hardik's point about it being a long tournament is wise. Fans panic too early. It's all about peaking at the right time. Just hope our fielding is sharp today!

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