Three-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians will look to get their IPL 12 campaign back on track when they meet the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 51st match of the tournament. Mumbai Indians suffered an upset at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous match. However, they are well within contention of a playoffs berth. However, they will look to win two of their remaining games to finish in the top 2 of the points table.
Mumbai Indians have played some good brand of cricket in the tournament so far. However, they have been ordinary on occasions which have resulted in them losing 5 outings out of the 12 matches they have played so far. The form of Hardik Pandya has been the biggest plus in this edition of the Indian Premier League. His hitting prowess has been next only to Andre Russell. The power hitter smashed a sensational 91 of 34 deliveries which were studded with 6 fours and 9 sixes.
Rohit Sharma has yet again led his troops very well in the tournament and has also got them off to good starts. However, he hasn’t been able to convert his start into big ones. He has scored just a solitary half-century in the tournament against the Chennai Super Kings. His partner Quinton de Kock has also looked in sensational touch.
The bowling department has been led very well by Jasprit Bumrah. The inclusion of Rahul Chahar in the tournament has worked wonders for the Mumbai Indians. On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad will also be a confident unit after winning their last game against the Kings XI Punjab. Both teams are better placed to make a place in the playoffs but both teams need to win at least a solitary match to make it through to the playoffs.
The top order looked good as openers David Warner and Wriddhiman Saha provided a sensational start. The duo raced off to a 78 runs partnership in just 6.2 overs which proved to be instrumental behind their victory in that particular encounter. Saha’s knock made sure that SRH didn’t miss the services of Jonny Bairstow.
However, against the Mumbai Indians, David Warner won’t be available either which will surely put extra pressure on the opening duo. In all likelihood, it will be Kane Williamson and Wriddhiman Saha who opens the innings for Hyderabad in tomorrow’s clash which is slated to be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Weather Report:
The temperature at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is expected to be between 26 to 31 degrees. The evening should be cool. The match will be played at 8 pm which will surely make the players relieved. There is no rain expected for tomorrow’s clash so we can expect a full 40 overs match.
Pitch Condition:
The surface at the Wankhede Stadium is always expected to be a belter of a wicket where batsman loves playing their big shots. In all likelihood, it should be another high scoring match. The team batting first should at least look to score 180+.
Match Prediction
The match will be a high scoring contest and both the teams will look to win one of the most important matches in the tournament. I have a gut feeling that Mumbai Indians will assure their playoffs berth tomorrow with a victory. Hence my prediction is with Mumbai Indians.