Mumbai Indians Vs. Pune Warriors India - Preview

Securing a next-to-easy win one day into the IPL, the Mumbai Indians are heading for their second match today, with the moral advantage of playing on their home ground. A formidable team including the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh, Rohit Sharma, Lasith Malinga and Kieron Pollard among others, the MI will face the fairly new-in-the-series team of the Pune Warriors India. The PWI has their share of big names such as Jesse Ryder, Sourav Ganguly, Murali Karthik and Robin Uthappa to name a few.

While PWI might feel the pinch of the loss of Graeme Smith and former captain Yuvraj Singh, MI have a cause of concern in Sachin Tendulkar’s injury and subsequent exit from the field.

Head to head:

PWI being a new entrant in the series in 2011 have faced MI on two occasions, both resulting in a victory for MI. While MI chased, and successfully obtained a target of 119 off the last ball in their first match, they held PWI back in their second encounter to win by 21 runs.

Players to look out for:

Mumbai Indians

Richard Levi: Only 3 matches old in T20s, Levi has been a powerhouse of sixes and fours, giving his team good leads. His short stint until now has garnered him a fearful reputation and left his opponents with little to prepare on – making him MI’s X-factor.

Harbhajan Singh: Apart from being India’s most successful and consistent spinner in the past years, Harbhajan has also captained his team to winning the Champions League. He’s playing with, and leading a team that he knows inside out – clearly aware of how to bring out their best.

Rohit Sharma: One of the most talented young batsmen of the national team, Sharma is one the MI’s biggest and costliest assets. His quick dismissal against the CSK and his team owners’ investment in him are enough reasons for him to prove that he is no question mark.

Pune Warriors India

Sourav Ganguly: The captain who changed the game for India’s national team has a lot riding on his shoulders. Aggressive leadership, years of experience and visionary thinking that belies his age,leaves this injured Bengal tiger with a point to prove being PWI’s X-factor.

Rahul Sharma: This bowler of the national team has displayed his expertise in holding batsmen back from making their runs. His talent, coupled with his height advantages, can make him quite the star on today’s pitch.

Robin Uthappa: Uthappa’s ability to be aggressive and unabashed in sending the ball sailing over the boundary line makes him a spectator’s delight. Add to that the fact that he will mostly be looking to repeat some of his past heroics, Uthappa becomes a player to watch out for.

Prediction

Based on their past encounters with PWI and their performance against CSK, MI seem like they’re set to win over PWI. But the unpredictability of the T20 and the captaincy of Ganguly might just be the combination required for the underdogs to surprise.