Why are Wanindu Hasaranga and Sandeep Sharma not playing RR vs MI IPL 2025 game?

IPL 2025 season’s match number 50 is set to witness Rajasthan Royals (RR) hosting Mumbai Indians (MI) for the first time this campaign. Riyan Parag won the toss and chose to bowl first and said the decision was based on the likelihood of dew playing a role in the chase. The home team made two changes to their side as Wanindu Hasaranga and Sandeep Sharma missed out on the game. 

Former Mumbai Indians duo Kumar Kartikeya and Akash Madhwal have been included in the playing XI for the game on Thursday night. When asked the reason behind these changes, Parag said that Hasaranga isn’t playing the game due to a niggle. Sandeep Sharma, as per the RR skipper, has broken his finger.

It is a key game for both sides, as a loss for Rajasthan Royals will eliminate the team from the IPL 2025 tournament. Chennai Super Kings became the first side to be eliminated from IPL 2025 when they lost to Punjab Kings at home. A win for the Mumbai Indians will not only take them one step closer to the playoffs but also take Hardik Pandya’s men to the top spot. If the home team wins the game, then the tournament will see the race for playoffs thrown wide open yet again. 

Mumbai Indians looking to win six games in a row

Former IPL winners, the Mumbai Indians have won five games in succession after a slow start to the season. In the last game, MI beat Lucknow Super Giants by 54 runs at home. It is to be noted that RR have beaten me twice in two previous encounters. Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a brilliant tonne for RR in the last game the two sides played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. 

Speaking at the toss, Hardik Pandya said, “It has always been about how we can play good cricket. The conversation was always about how we can get better; we've spoken about the same and nothing changes. We want to be fearless and not let fear of failure kick in. Don't decide how much we need to put on; have a set marker but we need to analyse the wicket.”

Jasprit Bumrah, who picked four wickets in the last game, is starting for MI on Thursday. Veteran spinner Karn Sharma is in the impact player’s list and is set to make his way into the game later. Earlier in the day it was confirmed that Vignesh Puthur has been ruled out of the season due to injury and has been replaced by Raghu Sharma, who has been with MI as a net bowler.