INDIA PREMIER LEAGUE 2020
Not all has gone well for the Steve Smith-led team so far in the competition. © BCCI
Memories of UAE 2014 have been dead and buried in a way that never existed for the Indians of Mumbai. Even before any other team has found their perfect XI, they have recorded three wins in five games and are at the top of the points table. Three of their top four hitters have scored fifty, the finalists have exploded like no other team and the rhythm attack has proven to be the deadliest in the tournament thus far. For a superstitious team that is IM, it is as if they have forgotten that it is an even year and glory is unlikely to be easy.
Several teams have continued their successful combinations from the previous year, and yet no one has looked as good in 2020 as the defending champions. Jasprit Bumrah may not have shot as regularly as he usually does, Hardik Pandya, the pitcher, is absent, and Suryakumar Yadav and Rahul Chahar have yet to put on standout performances. However, everyone has contributed at different times, in different ways, most importantly, effectively. There is no weak link left on the side and everyone has already warmed up well.
But even at this perfection, there is an area that the Hyderabad Sunrisers managed to expose in IM’s previous game. As the pacemakers came off the stumps and launched it squarely, Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard, despite scoring 39 in 4.2 overs, struggled to speed up the way they routinely do in death overs, despite the predictability of the plan. In Jofra Archer and Tom Curran, the Rajasthan Royals have two bowlers who can exploit the same, unless they have other ideas in the next IM encounter.
Not all has gone well for the Steve Smith-led team so far in the competition. Despite winning their first two games, they are in the bottom half of the table. Ben Stokes’ arrival in the United Arab Emirates is good news for the team, but he will not be available against the Mumbai Indians. Jos Buttler has not improved and Smith’s early layoffs are exposing the middle order out of touch. Like the Mumbai Indians, different players have faced the Royals at different times, but they have not necessarily contributed to their victories. However, in what has been a very close tournament thus far, this is a victory that can propel them significantly higher. But against the Mumbai Indians, the margin of error is likely to be minimal.
What to expect: Dew has played his role and neither has he. The enigma of whether to hit first or chase in Abu Dhabi continues. The Mumbai Indians, despite playing three games here, have yet to chase. The Royals, on the other hand, were easily maimed after hitting first in their only game at the venue. Long limits would mean running a lot. And with temperatures hovering around 30 degrees, expect fitness levels to be challenged.
When:October 6, 2020, Tuesday, 7:30 PM IST
Where:Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Team news:
Mumbai Indians: Everyone is in good shape and even while waiting for details on Nathan Coulter-Nile’s availability, they won’t worry too much. An XI is expected without changes.
Probably XI:Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (week), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, James Pattinson, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah
Royals of Rajasthan:Ben Stokes will not be available as he is in quarantine. Robin Uthappa’s form has been worrisome and as IM is unlikely to play as an offside pitcher, Royals management could be tempted to play the 18-year-old southpaw Yashasvi Jasiwal. With the pacemakers in Abu Dhabi, there is also the possibility that the Royals will go for a fast pacemaker in the form of Oshane Thomas or Varun Aaron.
Probably XI: Jos Buttler (week), Yashasvi Jaiswal / Robin Uthappa, Sanju Samson, Steve Smith (c), Riyan Parag. Mahipal Lomror, Tom Curran, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat / Varun Aaron
What they say:
“The last two games weren’t going as planned after what was a very good start to the tournament. But I guess that’s the way T20 cricket works sometimes. We haven’t played our best games in the last two. and we’ve been outmatched by the opposition both times. It’s about regrouping and moving forward now, trying to improve and get some wins on the board in the next games. Hopefully I can score some runs tomorrow. I missed the last two games, but that’s It happens. We will see which of our players fit into our plans for tomorrow’s game and fit into certain scenarios in the game and we will try to get the best matchups for Mumbai. ” – Steve Smith, patron of the Rajasthan Royals
© Cricbuzz
