Warner takes inspiration from 2016 shoW

Riding high on momentum, resurgent esurgent Sunrisers Hyderabad will back ck themselves to topple the mighty Mumbai umbai Indians and qualify for the IPL playoffs on Tuesday. Thanks to their healthy rununrate, a win against Mumbai In- dians should be enough to send Sunrisers into the final-four. After taking a tough call to leave out the dangerous Jonny Bairstow from the playing eleven, Sunrisers have managed to find out the “right” t” balance.

Wriddhiman Saha has made an instant impact as David Warner’s opening partner and the inclusion of Jason son Holder has given them an all-round option.

Pacers Holder and Sandeep Sharma were extremely mely impressive, both upfront and at the death, in the last ast game Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Add left-arm pacer T Natarajan and trump card rd Rashid Khan to their bowling attack, it makes up for a well ell rounded attack.

Sunrisers are not just riding high on momentum, m, they are also a team, full of confidence, having outplayed played Delhi Capitals and RCB in their previous two outings. tings.

“In 2016 we had to win three games and we did that,” said skipper Warner after the RCB game, e, referring to their title-winning campaign four r seasons ago.

Sunrisers also know there is little scope for error against formidable outfit like Mumbai Indians, who seem to be on course for an unprecedented fifth IPL title.

In the absence of injured skipper Rohit Sharma, Mumbai Indians steamrolled RCB and Delhi Capitals in their previous encounters, becoming the first team to qualify for the playoffs.

Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah have looked menacing with the swinging new ball and ever so frugal with the old.

Kieron Pollard has been impressive with his captaincy in Rohit’s absence. With Indian team m not picking Rohit for the Australia tour, there is no o official update on his recovery from a hamstring ng injury he suffered two weeks ago.

“Rohit is getting better and hopefully he’ll be back soon,” Pollard had said after the match against t DC without elaborating on Rohit’s fitness status.

Already assured of the top spot in the points table, Mumbai Indians will be expected to put up another nother ruthless show against Sunrisers.

The nature of surface in Sharjah has changed drastically with low-scores replacing 200-plus totals, s, which was the norm at the start of the tournament.

In Saturday’s game, RCB could only manage 120 0 against Sunrisers who chased down the paltry target in 14.1 overs. CSK were limited to 114 for nine by Mumbai bai Indians on October 23. Again, the chasing team got the job done rather comfortably. —

IN 2016 WE HAD TO WIN THREE GAMES AND WE DID THAT T DAVID WARNER