IPL 2017: Top 4 player encounters to look for in MI vs RPS

#4 Jasprit Bumrah vs Steve Smith

Smith’s team are fifth in the table with three wins and three losses

The best batsman in the world on current form vs the best death overs bowler in the world – a much-awaited battle. Steve Smith had batted until the end the last time these sides met to score an unbeaten match-winning 84, whereas Bumrah was the most economical of the MI bowlers in that game as he had conceded only 29 in his 4 overs in a chase of 185.

Scoring big against Bumrah is proving to be a task next to impossible for all teams this season as he is consistently delivering the goods for MI at the death. Against DD on 22 April, he conceded just 9 runs in his last two overs to put the match beyond DD, but if there is anyone who can counter him with his skill and form, it is the RPS skipper Steve Smith.

Smith can innovate as well as hit big as per the need, which is what he showed in their earlier encounter. The way the Australian skipper tackles Bumrah both in his initial spell and in the final overs might have a huge role in deciding the fate of this match.