SRH gear up to take on formidable MI
mumbai — Their batting mainstay, David Warner no longer available, Sunrisers Hyderabad face a formidable task when they square off against Mumbai Indians in a crucial IPL tie on Thursday.
The match is important for both sides as a victory will bolster their playoff chances while a defeat would bring them one step closer to the exit door.
Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals have already sealed their playoff spots, while the other two slots are yet to be decided.
Currently, MI are on third position with 14 points from 12 games, while the SRH are in the fourth spot with 12 points from as many matches.
If MI win on Thursday, they qualify for the playoffs while a victory for SRH will take them level on 14 points with the home side and both will have to wait longer to know their fate.
SRH bowlers have performed
well in patches and need to get their act together against MI’s strong batting line-up.
MI have been well-served by South African Quinton de Kock (393 from 12 matches) and captain Rohit Sharma (307 from 11) at the top.
In hard-hitting all-rounder Hardik Pandya (355 from 12) and West Indian powerhouse Kieron Pollard (228 from 12), MI possess two batsmen who routinely flout the opposition bowling attack.
The likes of Surya Kumar Yadav and Krunal Pandya will need to convert starts into bigger scores against the multi-pronged SRH attack in which Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan (14 wickets) has been the standout performer. —