What’s the story?
Legendary Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes that Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians will contest the final of IPL 2017. Ponting, who had earlier predicted that SRH would retain their title stood by his words although he admitted he would love it if MI claim the title.
When asked about who would win the tournament, Ricky Ponting said: "I said Sunrisers at the start, nothing will really change for me there but I'd love to see Mumbai win it. Having been there a couple of years, knowing the players and the owners really well, I'd love to see Mumbai win it. It will be a fitting final. It will be nice to see those two in the final."
“"I'm a big believer in tournament play and trying to find a way to create that bit of momentum going into the finals. All the big World Cups and Champions Trophies I played in, that was always a focus of ours in the Australian cricket team. Not necessarily being at your absolute peak for the start of the tournament because trying to maintain that for eight of nine weeks of an IPL is near-on impossible. I like the trajectory they're (SRH) on,” he added about SRH’s late surge to cricket.com.au.
Extra Cover: IPL 2017, Eliminator: 5 reasons why Sunrisers Hyderabad can beat Kolkata Knight Riders
In case you didn’t know...
Ponting had earlier predicted that David Warner would finish as the player of the tournament despite his poor form heading into IPL 2017 and has so far been vindicated as the Australian opener has scored 604 runs and is the Orange Cap holder going into the playoffs.
Details
Ponting’s former side Mumbai Indians, who topped the group, take on second-placed Rising Pune Supergiant in the first qualifier at the Wankhede stadium with SRH taking on KKR in the eliminator at Bengaluru on Wednesday. Ponting’s prediction for the finalists of the tenth edition of the Indian Premier League will come true if MI beat RPS, which will send them through to the final and if SRH beat KKR in the eliminator and RPS in the second qualifier.
What’s next?
Mumbai Indian’s will have two chances to make it through to the final after finishing top of the table and take RPS on Tuesday while SRH take on KKR with the winner being knocked out of the tournament.
Author’s take
Given the form that MI are in, the fact that they are at home and RPS are without two key players in Ben Stokes and Imran Tahir means that they are strong favorites to go through to the final. With David Warner in imperious form, Shikhar Dhawan proving to be an able sidekick and arguably the best bowling attack in the league, SRH can make it four wins in a row and go through to the finals and make Ponting’s prediction come true.
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