Preview: M10 MI vs SRH
What
Table toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad will come up against a confident Mumbai Indians outfit in Match 10 of VIVO IPL 2017.
Mumbai Indians will want to build on the adrenaline boost from Sunday’s thrilling win over the Kolkata Knight Riders. MI had their backs to the wall when they were reduced to 119-5 in their chase of 179. But two youngsters – Nitish Rana (50) and Hardik Pandya (29* from 11 balls) – took the opportunity to step up and helped their team to a thrilling win. Rana and Hardikpummelled the KKR bowlers and added 41 runs in 2.2 overs which helped MI get across the finish line with one ball to spare. The two-time champions, who lost the season opener, will take plenty of confidence from that win and will want to add two more points to their kitty from this contest.
In their two matches so far, Sunrisers have played like defending champions and not surprisingly are perched at the top of the table. They handed RCB a 35-run defeat in the season opener after batting first and posting 207 runs on the board. In their second outing, they restricted a formidable Gujarat Lions line-up to 135-7 and then cruised to a 9-wicket win, knocking off the runs in 15.3 overs.
When
12 April 2017, 2000 Hrs IST
Where
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
The Protagonists
Mumbai Indians will look towards Jos Buttler and captain Rohit Sharma to cause damage with the bat. The Englishman has looked good at the top in both the matches and has forged a good partnership with Parthiv Patel. However, in both the games so far, the openers have frittered away a position to get a big one; MI will want Buttler to play freely, but want him to can convert the start into a big score. Rohit Sharma has bagged two single-digit scores and MI will be desperate for the skipper to get among the runs.
While the Sunrisers batsmen – David Warner, Moises Henriques, ShikharDhawan and Yuvraj Singh – have taken turns to cause damage with the willow, with the ball Rashid Khan has shone like a star. The Afghan bowler, called ‘Superstar in the making’ by captain Warner, is a ‘champion bowler’ as VVS Laxman calls him; batsmen have found it extremely difficult to pick his variations, and as a result the leg-spinner finds himself with five wickets after two matches.
Match within the match
David Warner against LasithMalinga promises to be exciting. As does Rohit Sharma, who has been dismissed by spinners twice in two innings, against Rashid Khan.
Head to Head
Overall: Matches – 8, MI Won – 4, SRH Won – 4
At the Wankhede Stadium: Matches – 2, MI Won – 2 SRH Won – 0
In IPL 2016: Matches – 2, MI Won – 0, SRH Won – 2
Trivia
Rohit Sharma and LasithMalinga will reach a personal milestone during Wednesday’s match; both of them will be playing their 100th IPL match for the Mumbai Indians.
The last five IPL matches at the Wankhede Stadium have all been won by the team chasing. Teams have successfully chased down targets of 122, 144, 171, 175 & 179.
What Next
Mumbai Indians fly out to Bengaluru for their next fixture; they are scheduled to clash with the Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 14. Sunrisers Hyderabad meanwhile head to Kolkata for their away fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders, scheduled on April 15.