Rejuvenated MI set to face Daredevils

Buoyant Mumbai Indians will be eager to stretch their winning streak when they meet Delhi Daredevils in their 10th Indian Premier League game at the Wankhede here on Tuesday.

Delhi Daredevils are just above seventh placed Mumbai Indians on superior net run rate. They had defeated Mumbai by 37 runs at the Ferozshah Kotla on April 23. Both have eight points from nine games and a slip- up here could severely dent their chances of qualifying for the play- offs.

After a poor start to the tournament, the hosts are enjoying a purple patch of late, having posted a hattrick of wins. They come to the Wankhede after a convincing 23- run win over Kings XI Punjab in Mohali on Sunday.

In contrast, Delhi Daredevils have been inconsistent, losing their last game to Rajasthan Royals by 14 runs at the adjacent Brabourne Stadium here on Sunday.

Mumbai’s Parthiv Patel, who had 96 runs in his six previous games, scored his first half century ( 36- ball 59) on Sunday to star in a 111- run opening partnership along with Lendl Simmons.

The Mumbai openers have been involved in brisk starts in the last four games but this time they went on to make it big. Simmons, who scored his third fifty this season ( 71 in 56 balls) has been consistent ever since he replaced the injured Aaron Finch in the XI. He has already scored 239 runs in six games.

The hosts’ top scorer Rohit Sharma ( 297 runs) and Trinidadian Kieron Pollard haven’t been able to capitalise on the brisk starts in last three games. Ambati Rayudu did the job in the last home game, sig- nalling his return to form.

Mumbai Indians have a settled combination now, though they will want to have a relook at Unmukt Chand and Jagadeesha Suchith with the likes of untested Siddhesh Lad, Pragyan Ojha and Shreyas Gopal waiting in the wings. New additions Ben Hilfenhaus and Colin Munro are also waiting for their first opportunity.

Mitchell McClenaghan ( nine wickets in five games) has been brilliant at the death, picking up wickets regularly to help Mumbai defend totals along with the talismanic Lasith Malinga.

The Daredevils have some issues to address. They dropped a few catches during the last game and fielding was below par. Their death bowling also leaves a lot to be desired. They may do well to bring back Imran Tahir, who has 13 wickets in the tournament. Zaheer Khan knows the track well and so does former Mumbai bowler Nathan Coulter- Nile. Both can be lethal here.

In the batting department, only skipper J. P. Duminy and Shreyas Iyer have been consistent.