After having made it to the playoffs, Mumbai Indians would now want to consolidate their position at the top 2 position. They will be up against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, a team which has slipped away a touch and would now look to bounce back against the rampant Mumbai side.
The juggernaut of the Mumbai Indians steamrolled Delhi Daredevils in their previous game and the side looks like a well-oiled machine and all the players know exactly what their role is in the team. They seem to have all bases covered and different players have raised their hands at different occasions to play a crucial role in the team’s win.
Sunrisers, on the other hand, seem to rely on their captain David Warner with the bat and then look towards Bhuvneshwar Kumar with the ball. The other members of the team should now look to step up as the team demands more out them.
Match date: 01-05-217Match time: 2000 (IST)Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
If Mumbai Indians bat first
Predicted Score: 170+
The Mumbai Indians batting line-up has been smashing opponents all through the league and all their experiments have worked out perfectly.
In the match against the Delhi Daredevils, they promoted Kieron Pollard to number 3 and this move worked out just fine as Pollard smoked his way to a superb half fifty.
Mumbai would want their captain Rohit Sharma to start scoring runs before the playoffs as this would make the team an even more complete outfit.
The batting order is one solid chunk and even if 2 of their batsmen get going, the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers and fielders would be sent out on a leather hunt under lights.
If the batting is a well-oiled machine, the bowling is even well balanced as they have the variety and the panache to defend any total which is on board.
Lasith Malinga is finding some form and he is finding great company in Mitchell McClenaghan and Jasprit Bumrah. Hardik Pandya has been consistent with the ball and along with Harbhajan Singh, they have the ammunition to not only control the runs but also pick up wickets in the middle overs.
If Sunrisers Hyderabad bat first
Predicted Score: 183+
David Warner is due for some runs and if he gets going it is going be a run fest at Hyderabad. He loves the venue and has already notched up a century at his home ground and the home fans would be gunning for some more from their skipper.
He has to get support from Shikhar Dhawan who has looked good this season without kicking on and making a substantial score. Also, the other players in Yuvraj Singh and Moises Henriques need to rally around the skipper and chip in with few runs in the middle overs.
However, the presence of Kane Williamson at number 3 has bolstered the batting line-up and has given some cushion to David Warner who can express himself more freely against the new ball.
The bowling has been the stronger suit for Sunrisers and even against a rampant Mumbai Indians, the bowlers can still hope to find their own feet and perhaps can stop the train.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar wears the purple cap and he needs to pick up wickets with the new ball upfront. Mohammed Siraj and Siddharth Kaul have been consistent but have not quite picked up wickets and they need to now step up.
Rashid Khan has slipped off a touch and now as the tournament meanders into the business end, he would want to get back to wicket-taking form and provide crucial breakthroughs for his team in the middle overs.
Predicted winners: Mumbai Indians
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