IPL 2021 preview: An intense clash awaits as Mumbai Indians goes head-on with Sunrisers Hyderabad
This is the 14th edition of the 2021 Indian Premier League, being held in India. Mumbai Indians are the record five-time defending champion, having won it all under Rohit Sharma's leadership. Sunrisers Hyderabad won in 2016, as David Warner aims to lead the side to its second title.
FollowIt has just been a week, as the Indian Premier League 2021 has not failed to impress the fans with thrillers. Meanwhile, defending champion Mumbai Indians would clash against former champion Sunrisers Hyderabad in Match 9 at the MA Chidambaram (Chepauk) Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.
Both the teams have played a couple of games so far, with both having gone off to mixed starts. With two champion teams colliding in an unknown territory, stakes are sure to get higher along with the intensity as we present the match preview.
Current form
In the two games that MI has played so far, it has had mixed luck, losing the opener to Chennai Super Kings before bouncing back against Kolkata Knight Riders. As for SRH, it has suffered losses in both the games so far, losing to KKR and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Thus, more than MI, SRH would be desperate to get a win here.
Team composition and combination
Considering the squads, MI has somewhat a balanced side, with a tide more focus on its bowling. Similarly, with more capped players in the bowling department, it would be aiming to go all out against the opposition batting and restrict the scoring.
As for SRH, it is just the opposite, with a slight focus on its batting. However, with more capped players in the bowling department, it is evenly balanced. Nonetheless, it would be interesting to see what does Warner have in plans to tackle MI's deadly bowling attack with its prolific batting order.
Injury concerns
None of the sides has any fresh injury concerns.
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Head-to-head
It has all been evenly contested in 16 matches between the two so far, with both winning eight apiece. Of the 13 games in India, MI leads 7-6. It would be their first clash in Chennai.
Weather and pitch report
The Chennai weather would again be hot, with around 33 degrees of temperature and 67% humidity. As for the track, it would get slow later. However, with the ball failing to come onto the bat at the latter phase of the game, the team winning the toss might first bat.
Probable XI
MI: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Marco Jansen, Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah.
SRH: David Warner (c), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Manish Pandey, Jonny Bairstow, Abdul Samad, Jason Holder, Vijay Shankar, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma and T Natarajan.
Fantasy XI
Batsmen: Warner, Pandey, Suryakumar- Warner is the suitable opener to give the start. Pandey can consolidate at number three, while Suryakumar can stabilise in the middle.
Wicketkeepers: Bairstow, Kishan- Bairstow could be the perfect opening partner for Warner, as has been the tradition, while Kishan can play a solid knock in the middle, owing to his decent form of late.
All-rounders: Holder, Krunal- Holder can contribute with his pace, while Krunal has been effective with his spins. Both can contribute with the bat as per the situation demands.
Bowlers: Boult, Bumrah, Rashid (c), Chahar (vc)- In the pace department, Boult and Bumrah are no-brainers. Among spinners, Rashid is a mus-have. Also, Chahar has been influential in the spin department of late and is once again a certain one to contribute. As a result, Rashid and Chahar are the ones to handle the captaincy and vice-captaincy duties, respectively.
Match details
Date and day: April 17, 2021 (Saturday)
Venue: MA Chidambaram (Chepauk) Stadium, Chennai
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
