IPL 2021: Preview MI vs SRH

After an outrageous show in the closing moments of their last encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders, the defending champions Mumbai Indians finally get their first points on the points table. They next face Sunrisers Hyderabad, who have been drilled twice now and still searching for their opening win of IPL 2021.
 

Head to Head (MI vs RCB)

Total Played: 16

MI won: 8

RCB won: 8

 

Match Details–

Tournament- Indian Premier League 2021

Match- 9, SRH vs MI

Venue- MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Pitch nature- A dry wicket with assistance to the slow bowlers

Match Timings- 7:30 PM IST

Watch Live on- Star Sports 1 (English), Star Sports 3 (Hindi)

Live Streaming- Disney+Hostar 

 

Over the years, Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad have been involved in some of the most ruthless and intense battles. Their head-to-head record speaks volumes of the cut-throat competition these two teams have had. In the last edition, both managed to win a game each in the league stage.

 

Their first encounter saw Mumbai Indians claiming a hard-fought 34 runs victory. Meanwhile, in their second meeting, Sunrisers Hyderabad romped past Mumbai Indians with a dominating ten wickets victory which also cleared their path of making it to the playoffs. Whenever these two teams collide, a blockbuster event is assured. This time too, stakes would be high, especially for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who are yet to get going on the points table. Let us now move ahead and see how the two teams might stack up for match no 9 of IPL 2021. 

 

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

Cricket pundits and fans have voiced out their opinions to include Kane Williamson in the eleven. The way their middle-order slumped to RCB’s rookie left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed and medium pacer Harshal Patel is already an alarming sign for them. It is a pity on the part of SRH’s team management to bench someone of Williamson’s stature to warm the bench just because of the team composition. 

 

SRH think tank needs to rethink its strategy and plans to get on the winning track. They need to fit in the Blackcaps skipper into the eleven before things get worse. For now, Jonny Bairstow is the only name in the lineup who could vacate the spot for Williamson. 

 

In other changes, Wriddhiman Saha, after two ordinary outings, isn’t assured of a start. They have someone like Jharkhand’s left-hander Virat Singh and India’s U-19 skipper Priyam Garg, who could accompany skipper David Warner at the top to open the innings. 

 

Another name who could lose his place in the eleven is Vijay Shankar. The all-rounder is yet to impress with both bat & ball. He could make way for someone like Abhishek Sharma or Kedar Jadhav, who are the designated all-rounders in the side. No specific changes in the bowling department are expected.

 

RCB Expected XI

Priyam Garg/Wriddhiman Saha

David Warner (C)

Manish Pandey

Jonny Bairstow/Kane Williamson

Abhishek Sharma/Kedar Jadhav

Abdul Samad

Jason Holder

Rashid Khan

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

T Natarajan

Shahbaz Nadeem 

 

Mumbai Indians (MI)

The effort Mumbai Indians put up in the last game must have boosted their confidence massively. A tenth straight win over KKR in IPL clearly depicts their dominance over the latter. 

 

Despite a win in the last game, Mumbai Indians still have many concerns, and the biggest one is the misfiring of their batting lineup. Barring the extraordinary Surya Kumar Yadav, all the other batsmen have looked rusty, including skipper Rohit Sharma. Yes, the surface at Chennai is not the one MI gets at the Wankhede, but they will have to adapt to the conditions and make a mark.

 

As far as bowling is concerned, both seamers and spinners have been on the money. Therefore, changes in this facet are highly unlikely to take place. However, if they want to test Adam Milne or Nathan Coulter Nile, now is the right time to do so by replacing the tall-lanky teenager Marco Jensen.

 

MI Expected XI

Rohit Sharma

Quinton de Kock

Suryakumar Yadav

Ishan Kishan

Hardik Pandya

Kieron Pollard

Krunal Pandya

Rahul Chahar

Nathan Coulter Nile/Adam Milne/Marco Jensen

Jasprit Bumrah

Trent Boult 

Suggested: How MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings Will Fare This Season?

Time to wrap up: After claiming a victory in their last game against Kolkata Knight Riders, the Mumbai Indians would be willing to stretch their momentum and register their second win of the season. On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad, who got dumped with two losses on the trot, would be willing to make a statement and get themselves moving on the points table. A mouthwatering clash awaits us at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, which team are you cheering? Strike your answers in the comment section below.