IPL 6: Match 62 - MI vs SRH - Sunrisers Hyderabad Preview

As the race of the teams to scramble into the play-offs is gathering pace, a crucial encounter between Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad awaits us today at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The outcome of the match is not only important to both the teams but also to other teams as well.

SRH are fresh from a resounding 30-run victory over KXIP in their last game, and will be looking to carry forward the same form into this game. MI on the other hand have won their last 3 games and look very confident going into the game. SRH are currently holding the 5th spot on the points table with 16 points, while MI are sitting pretty in the 3rd place with 18 points.

SRH’s batting has been good, but not very good. Although they are managing to reach some significant scores this season as a team, no particular batsman has managed to deliver consistently for them. However, they are fortunate to find a new star to save them in almost every game. Parthiv Patel was their hero in the last game, when he scored an important 61 off 47 balls. Shikhar Dhawan came up with some good knocks after his comeback and will be expected to provide them with a good start today.

Local Indian talents of the likes of Hanuma Vihari, B Samantray and Ashish Reddy haven’t been able to impress so far. Cameron White returned in the last game and captained the side quite well. He, along with Thisara Perera and Darren Sammy, will have to take the responsibility of controlling the game during the middle overs and finish with a flourish.

SRH bowlers are the main reason why they have been able to get over the line on 8 occasions so far. Their bowling has undoubtedly been one of the best this season. Dale Steyn and Ishant Sharma have been brilliant with the new ball, providing them the breakthroughs when needed. Despite the fact that Ishant Sharma went for plenty in the match against CSK, the lanky Indian pacer came back well in the last game. Amit Mishra and Karan Sharma have formed a lethal leg-spinning combination while Darren Sammy and Thisara Perera could prove very handy with their clever changes of pace. They need to be at their very best today against a fearsome batting line-up comprising the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Dwyane Smith, Dinesh Karthik, Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard.

Conditions:

The Wankhede pitch has been a batting beauty so far in this season, and is expected to behave no different today as well. It may have something in it for the bowlers as well with its even bounce and carry. But small ground dimensions might add to the bowlers’ woes.

Head to head:

The win-loss ratio is slightly skewed towards MI, as they have won 6 out of the 11 games played between the two teams so far. The Hyderabad franchise (SRH and DC) have managed to win 5 out of them. Sunrisers trumped Mumbai in their previous encounter this season.

Key Players:

Shikhar Dhawan - This stylish southpaw has boosted SRH in a big way since his return. He has already scored a few quickfire fifties at the top of the line-up and will be expected to continue with his good form today as well.

Dale Steyn - The South African pacer is currently the best fast bowler in the world and will be expected to deliver most of the times. He has been very economical so far and is a big reason why other teams could not manage huge scores against SRH more often this year.

SRH’s strategy:

They should look to bat first if the coin falls on their side today. The conditions are favourable for batting and SRH should look to post a good total on the board to put the mighty MI batting under some kind of pressure.

Possible XI:

They are likely go with the same winning combination which played in the last game. However, they might make a change or two considering the lack of form of some of the local Indian talents.

Shikhar Dhawan, Parthiv Partel(wk), Ashish Reddy/B Samantray, Cameron White(c), Thisara Perera, Hanuma Vihari/Ankit Sharma, Darren Sammy, Amit Mishra, Karan Sharma, Dale Steyn and Ishant Sharma.