The second game of the IPL 3.0 will be played between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals. Mumbai have yet to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament in the previous two editions, whereas Rajasthan has been a one-time winner of this tournament. Of course, they, like Mumbai, did not have a great second season of IPL. 
Mumbai Indians have bolstered their line-up well, but two of their key all-rounders will be missing from tomorrow’s game. Both, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo will be missing from the squad as they are still involved with their West Indian side for the five match Zimbabwean series and will only be able to join the team for the next game. 
This lack of all-round strength means that the Mumbai Indians will have to rely on specialist bowlers like Zaheer Khan, Dhawal Kulkarni and Harbhajan Singh instead, and that could add pressure on the frontline batsmen, thanks to the lack of depth in the batting.
As compared to this, the Royals will depend much on their motley of young, and very unheard of players in their side. This was their strategy even in the first edition of the IPL; catch them young, ask them to do the basics right, whereas the big work would be done by the likes of Shane Watson, Sohail Tanvir, Graeme Smith and the likes.
One gets the sense that it is going to be no different this time around as well, and that Warne will require Smith to fire at the top. The others, like Watson – missing for the first few matches – and Tanvir may not be around but one can be rest assured that there will be a plan brewing in that skilful mind of Shane Warne.
Mumbai go into the game as favourites to win it – 8/11 at Ladbrokes – but I will not be discounting Rajasthan 13/10 (Boylesports).