IPL 2021, SRH vs MI Preview: Hyderabad looks to spoil Mumbai's last-chance bid for playoffs
By Ayush Gupta | First Published Oct 7, 2021, 6:17 PM ISTSunRisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians will lock horns in a crucial IPL 2021 clash in Abu Dhabi. With MI bidding for the fourth spot, it would have no choice but to win this clash by a considerable margin.
In what is expected to be a high-octane clash, former champion SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) would take on defending champion Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 55 of the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Here is the preview of the same.
Current form
SRH is placed at the bottom of the table, with three wins from 13 matches, with just six points and is out of playoffs contention. As for MI, it is located fifth, with six wins from 13 and has 12 points.
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Qualification scenario
MI is a couple of points below former champion Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), with the latter placed fourth. Consequently, MI has no choice but to win this game by a margin of around 171 runs to get past KKR and qualify for the playoffs.
Team composition
As for the sides, SRH is understandably strong on its batting. However, it possesses an excellent bowling attack that has somewhat delivered this season. However, its batting usually tends to goof up. The focus would again go to skipper Kane Williamson, along with Manish Pandey, David Warner, Mohammad Nabi, Jason Holder, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan, Khaleel Ahmed and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Meanwhile, MI has been genuinely reliant on its bowling, which consists of a good number of star players. Its batting, too, has enough star power. However, since it has been highly inconsistent in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), winning just a couple of games, the top players must deliver in this do-or-die encounter.
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Injury concerns: While MI has no injury concerns, SRH would be wary of pacer T Natarajan and all-rounder Vijay Shankar because of COVID.
Head-to-head
The two sides have clashed on 17 instances, with MI having a marginal lead of 9-8. In the three United Arab Emirates (UAE) meetings, SRH has an authority of 2-1, while it would be their maiden clash in Abu Dhabi.
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Weather and pitch report
The weather in Abu Dhabi would be hot and sunny, with a temperature of about 36 degrees and 63% humidity. The pitch is expected to aid the batters while winning the toss, and bowling first would be ideal.
Probable XI
SRH: Jason Roy, Abhishek Sharma, Kane Williamson (c), Priyam Garg, Abdul Samad, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddarth Kaul and Umran Malik.
MI: Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Saurabh Tiwary, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, James Neesham, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Rahul Chahar/Jayant Yadav, Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah.
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Fantasy XI
Batters: Rohit, Williamson, Pandya- Rohit gives the right start, along with Williamson at number three, while Pandya consolidates in the middle-order.
Wicketkeeper: Kishan- With no Quinton de Kock, he is the only man expected to fire as an opener.
All-rounders: Pollard, Holder- Pollard has been lethal with the bat of late, while Holder is doing the same with the ball.
Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar, Boult, Bumrah (vc), Rashid (c), Chahar- Rashid and Chahar are no brainers with their deadly spin, while Rashid's consistency makes him the deputy captain. The trio of Bhuvneshwar, Boult and Bumrah are sure to dominate with their pace, whileBumrah's reliability makes him the skipper.
Match details
Date and day: October 8, 2021 (Friday)
Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Time: 7.30 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Hotstar
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