IPL 2017, GL vs MI: 5 winning factors

#2 With the ball

Mitchell McClenaghan has 12 wickets in eight matches

Mumbai Indians are clearly the superior side here as there is hardly a weak link in their bowling unit. It is an all-international bowling attack they played in the last match, with pacers of the quality of McClenaghan, Johnson and Bumrah to go with youngster Hardik Pandya, and spinners like Harbhajan and Karn Sharma.

The GL batsmen will have their work cut out if they are to post a decent total batting first against this attack or to chase a total down.

Malinga’s return in place of one of the two Mitchells will only make this team stronger despite his recent lack of form, as he is a quality death overs bowlers and his presence will make GL’s task all the more tougher.

Extra Cover: IPL 2017, GL vs MI: Face Off

GL, on the other hand, have still not found the perfect bowling combination for the season. They have tried many options but no one has been consistent for them, with the exception of young pacer Basil Thampi. Veterans Praveen Kumar and Dhawal Kulkarni find themselves out of the side now as Raina’s team is planning to rely more on youngsters like Thampi and Nathu to lead their attack.

International pacers Andrew Tye and James Faulkner add some muscle to this attack, especially Tye, who has already taken a hat-trick this season and is in the top five wicket takers. Jadeja has been off-colour so far but looked to be returning back to his Test match bowling form in the last match against the RCB. How he restricts the MI hitters in the middle overs might hold the key to GL’s fortunes.