A couple of months ago, no one would have even entertained the thought of MS Dhoni playing under the leadership of someone else in an IPL fixture.
Ironically now, though, that holds true as the league’s most successful captain now has to play under the highly spoken about leadership of Steven Smith. The move to promote Smith to the captaincy surely ruffled up a lot of feathers but as it is often said, cricket is a team game and at the end of the day, the result is what matters.
While this was the story of the Rising Pune Supergiant, their opponents, on the other hand, are in a very comfortable position. Despite enduring a poor 2016 season where they didn’t make it to the playoffs, Mumbai Indians are easily being touted as the tournament favourites. With Rohit Sharma returning to the fold for the first time since late October, all eyes will be on the enchanting Indian opener.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER:
The Maharashtra derby previously took place on 1st May 2016, coincidentally the Maharashtra Day. The game, though, was a one-sided affair as Mumbai Indians avenged their loss to Pune in their earlier clash in some style at the MCA Stadium in Pune.
After being asked to bat first, the Rising Pune Supergiant could only manage 159-5 in 20 overs as makeshift opener Saurabh Tiwary impressed everyone with a fine half century. Barring another decent contribution of 45 from Steven Smith, there wasn’t anything much to write about the Pune batting.
The chase turned out to be an easy one for Mumbai as Rohit Sharma breezed his way to an unbeaten knock of 85 to guide his side to victory.
Recent form this season:
MI: Season opener
Talking Points:
With Lasith Malinga not available for Mumbai’s first game, Tim Southee will get an opportunity. It will be an interesting sight to watch the retired Mitchell Johnson steaming in full throttle and returning to his first ever IPL franchise. Being the mainstay with the bat, Rohit Sharma will have to fire at the top to ensure that the Mumbai Indians commence their campaign on a high.
Predicted XI:
Mumbai Indians:
- R. Sharma (c) 2. P. Patel (wk) 3. A. Rayudu 4. J. Buttler 5. K. Pandya 6. K. Pollard 7. H. Pandya 8. H. Singh 9. M. Johnson 10. T. Southee 11. J. Bumrah