After the last over win against Kolkata Knight Riders recently, Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians will be high on confidence. Young guns Hardik Pandya and Nitish Rana helped Mumbai win a close game at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.
On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad looks like a most balanced squad in this IPL 2017. They have won both games convincingly, one against Royal Challengers Bangalore and the other one was against Gujarat Lions.
Rashid Khan has become the sensation in this tournament, though he has just played two games but in those 48 deliveries, he has bowled, he looked pretty impressive to earn the purple cap.
Both Mumbai and Hyderabad are not too dependent on just one or two players, as a team, they are the most threatening side of this year’s edition.
Overview-
Mumbai Indians- If we talk about the opening department, Parthiv and Jos Buttler in two games were good enough, as they both gave Mumbai a start which provided assistance for lower-order batters. Rohit Sharma was unlucky to be given out to a wrong decision in the last game, He is making his comeback and is hungry to score runs.
Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya and Nitish Rana, the younger lot in Mumbai dressing room proved crucial for the team. With Lasith Malinga back in the squad, even their bowling is looking strengthened.
Sunrisers Hyderabad- If I claim Sunrisers Hyderabad has the most balanced squad in this season of Indian Premier League, it will not be an overstatement. Having a look from the openers David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan to Yuvraj Singh and Henriques and then in lower order young Deepak Hooda, everyone did well for the team if we combine both matches’ performance.
Warner in second game smashed 70+, whereas, Sunrisers bowling too looked impressive with Bhuvneshwar Kumar in rhythm and leg- spinner Rashid Khan picking up wickets on the regular basis.
View on think tank-
Mumbai Indians- Mumbai Indians’ team management has shown faith in their younger players and they wouldn’t want to change the team combination. Rohit Sharma and Mumbai team management will look to persist with the same squad entering into the squad.
Sunrisers Hyderabad- Well they have won both of their games, and there is not much required to shuffle the squad. The only possibility would be if Mustafizur Rahim is fully fit then who sits out? Ben Cutting or Rashid Khan? Well, we think so Rashid Khan may get the chance in typical Wankhede wicket cause of his recent reputation.
Tracking the strength-
Mumbai Indians- Again, young Indian players in this squad is the power of Mumbai Indians. The way Nitish Rana batted under pressure against Knight Riders was exceptional. And In the end, Hardik Pandya finished the game with his powerful blows.
Sunrisers Hyderabad- Probably the most balanced squad of Indian Premier League from top to the bottom. Young Rashid Khan has created a sensation in the first two games but in Wankhede how he is going to do will be a question mark as Wankhede is never an easy track to bowl for spinners.
Possibilities in the line-up:
Mumbai Indians- They won their last game against Kolkata Knight Riders and with a team effort so I do not expect any changes in the squad.
Sunrisers Hyderabad- Only change expected is Bangladeshi Fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman coming in for either Ben Cutting or Rashid Khan. Now it is going to test David Warner’s tactics in Wankhede.
Positive note-
Both the squads will be brimming with confidence for their good performances. Mumbai Indians won the last ball thriller against Knight Riders where they chased down 11 in the last over against Trent Boult. Nitish Rana and Hardik Pandya both together scored almost 50 runs in three overs. Sunrisers Hyderabad dominated their opponents RCB and Gujarat. They will look to continue the same in Wankhede.
Head to Head-
They have both faced each other eight times and both team winning it equal four games. Sunrisers Hyderabad won their previous two encounters against Mumbai in 2016 season.
Predictions-:
Predictions in Cricket is not an easy thing, we can analyse and then say this team looking little stronger or this is not, but in Cricket predictions seven out of ten times you might get it right or wrong. In Mumbai team batting second always has the upper hand so whosoever will chase can win the game. For the team Batting first, 210-220 will be a winning total.
Playing XI of Both Squad-
Mumbai Indians- Joss Buttler, Parthiv Patel(wk), Rohit Sharma(C), Nitish Rana, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell McClenaghan, Jaspreet Bumrah, Lasith Malinga
Sunrisers Hyderabad- David Warner(C), Shikhar Dhawan, Moises Henriques, Yuvraj Singh, Deepak Hooda, Naman Ojha(wk), Ben Cutting/Mustafizur Rahim, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan/Mustafizur Rahim, Bipul Sharma, Aashish Nehra