IPL 2018: SRH vs MI Match Preview, 4 things to expect from the match

Mumbai Indians will travel to Hyderabad, for their first away match of the season. Historically, Mumbai Indians have been slow starters, with the exception of last season.

The clash will be crucial as Mumbai Indians would not want to lean back on their old habits. Mumbai Indians will hope for improved performances at the top of the order from their captain, Rohit Sharma, and Evin Lewis, the big West Indian hitter.

On the other hand, the mood in the SRH camp will be upbeat, as they are coming into the game after a comprehensive win over Rajasthan Royals.

A fine display by their bowlers and, a good performance from the top order, would have given confidence to the whole squad. Both the teams will most likely field the same eleven.

MI starting XI: Ishan Kishan (wk), Evin Lewis, Rohit Sharma (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Mayank Markande, Mitchell McClenaghan, Jasprit Bumrah, Mustafizur Rahman.

SRH starting XI: Shakib Al Hasan, Shikhar Dhawan, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Manish Pandey, Deepak Hooda, Yusuf Pathan, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddarth Kaul, Billy Stanlake.

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#4 Ishan Kishan opening with Evin Lewis

Ishan Kishan (Source: BCCI)

Ishan Kishan had a good time in the middle scoring 40 runs off 29 deliveries. After both the openers got out early, Ishan Kishan built a 78 run partnership with Suryakumar Yadav, and provided the much-needed stability to Mumbai's innings.

Ishan Kishan is a free-flowing batsman and, he is comfortable playing against fast bowlers, with good cut and pull shots in his arsenal.

He along with Evin Lewis can provide a good start, while Rohit Sharma can come at no.3, as he used to in the previous editions of the tournament.

#3 Mustafizur playing a key role

Mustafizur will be back in Hyderabad (Source: BCCI)

Mustafizur Rahman played a pivotal role in SRH's campaign, and he is not new to the Hyderabad pitch. He will be happy to be back, playing on a known surface.

In this first match against his old franchise, he will be hoping to help the Mumbai Indians clinch their first win. He has great partners in Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell McClenaghan.

They will look to improve their death bowling, after an abysmal performance against CSK, conceding 50 runs in the last three overs. Mustafizur can be a very effective bowler on Hyderabad's two-paced pitch with his cutters and slower ones.

#2 Dhawan winning back the Orange Cap

Dhawan will look to continue his good form ( Source: BCCI)

Shikhar Dhawan will look to extend his purple patch as long as possible. In the past one year, he not just scored runs, but, also scored them at a faster rate. Dhawan scored 78 runs in SRH's victory over RR.

With him being just 24 runs behind the Orange Cap holder Andre Russell, Dhawan will look to get it back soon, maybe in this match itself.

With Dhawan in good knick, SRH will hope that Saha, the new Sunrisers opener, will score some quick runs at the top.

Sunrisers management has shown a lot of confidence in Saha's batting skills and, it is likely that he'll open the innings, even with Alex Hales being roped into the side.

#1 Pollard - Rashid Khan rivalry

Rashid Khan will be a key player for the Sunrisers (Source: BCCI)

The rivalry between Rashid Khan and Kieron Pollard, was clearly evident in the semi-final clash between Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades, where the two exchanged a lot of words and stares.

In the two BBL matches, Pollard faced 11 deliveries from Rashid and scored 18 runs which included a boundary and a six. Rashid could not get the wicket of Pollard in those two matches, but his figures of 2/26 and 1/28 were impressive.

So, no player has a clear-cut upper hand, but it will be interesting to see the proceedings of a freshly-brewed rivalry.

Rashid played two matches against Mumbai in the previous edition and, has combined figures of 8-0-41-2. In this fixture, he would like to claim more wickets, and the wicket of Pollard will be the priced one.

Pollard, on the other hand, would want to score more against Rashid, without falling victim to his bowling.

One thing for sure is that the clash between the two latest IPL Champions, has a lot to look forward to and will most probably be a close fought contest.