Tough task for Rohit’s boys
MI VS SRH India’s new ball bowlers, Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah, set for battle against each other
HYDERABAD: Mumbai Indians (MI) are known to be slow starters, but when they take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Thursday, the defending champions would know that they will soon have to get back to their best.
With Chennai Super Kings back at the top of the points table followed by SRH, the Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians will look to get into a winning habit as competition in this year’s IPL has started to heat up.
Mumbai lost to CSK by one wicket in the opener at home last Saturday, but they will have to put the disappointment behind as SRH present a different challenge, especially with the ball.
Having registered a comprehensive win in their opening match, confidence is high in the SRH camp which is still in the early days of Kane Williamson’s captaincy. Total matches
Rohit Sharma needs just one more fifty to became the third Indian after Gautam Gambhir (53 fifties) and Virat Kohli (52 fifties) to hit 50 or more fifties in Twenty-20 cricket.
Shakib Al Hasan needs just 20 runs to become the second Bangaldeshi after Tamim Iqbal and 68th batsman overall to score 4000 runs in Twenty-20 cricket.
Sunrisers Hyderabad kicked off their campaign with a ninewicket hammering of Rajasthan Royals two days ago. With one of the best bowling attacks at their disposal, they have the quality to test any batting line-up.
With the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Afghanistan sensation Rashid Khan, Siddharth Kaul and Billy Stanlake and Shakib Al Hasan all showing their mettle, SRH will take the field as favourites for this clash.
The opening pair of Wriddhiman Saha and Shikhar Dhawan, followed by Kane Williamson at No 3, fills in the gap that was created by David Warner’s exit, but their middle-order is yet to be tested. It consists of Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan and Deepak Hooda, followed by Shakib.
However, SRH coach Tom Moody hinted that a few changes are likely for Thursday’s game. “We are looking at a couple of options, yes, but we are reluctant to make too many changes for obvious reasons,” Moody said.
On the other hand, having lost the tournament opener to Chennai Super Kings narrowly, Mumbai Indians will aim to open their account. Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma has expressed confi- dence on Jasprit Bumrah’s strong comeback after a disappointing first game, but all eyes will be on the young Mayank Markande who wrecked CSK’S batting line-up with his stunning three-wicket spell.
Mumbai’s hopes are pinned on runs at the top from Rohit and Evin Lewis, and quick runs towards the end from the Pandya brothers — Krunal and Hardik.
Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav both showed form in the first game, and Mumbai will hope for consolidation from this pair in the middle order. Hardik, who twisted his ankle in the first innings, is expected to be available for the match.
Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar share the new ball for India but on Thursday they are pitted against each other, set to bowl on the pitch at the Uppal stadium that looks full of runs.
Dhawan’s form at the top will be crucial for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Mumbai Indians Sunrisers Hyderabad We are reluctant to make too many changes for obvious reasons. We would also like to make sure that we have the right matchups