Mumbai: Two-time champions Mumbai Indians will be back at their fortress Wankhede Stadium to take on a resurgent Gujarat Lions in their IPL clash on Sunday. The hosts who have won two games from hopeless situations will also look to stretch their three-match win streak.
Rohit Sharma’s side are unbeaten in four matches at Wankhede Stadium dating back to last season. They are fresh from an away win over Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday. It will be the fifth game in ten days for the Mahela Jayawardene coached side.
Mumbai Indians’ main concern has been their skipper who is playing the IPL after coming back from an injury and has single digit scores of 3, 2, 4, 0 in the four games so far. Opener Jos Buttler is also yet to fire big.
However, the middle order has contributed well with Delhi left-hander Nitish Rana and Kieron Pollard providing stability before the Pandya brothers have launched big at the death overs. Pollard paced his innings smartly in the last game before unleashing some massive blows on a difficult Bengaluru wicket to take his side close to victory along with Krunal Pandya from a crisis situation of 7/4.
Incidentally, Mumbai Indians have achieved all three wins while chasing by four wickets after a first-match loss to Rising Pune Supergiant came while defending a high score.
Left-arm spinner Krunal has been brilliant in his spells and as has been his spin bowling experienced partner Harbhajan Singh.
Mumbai Indians also have many fast bowling options and so far have done well as a unit especially at the death.
Lasith Malinga missed the last game and his replacement Tim Southee was expensive. Mitchell Johnson will be hoping for his first chance if Malinga is unfit.
Jasprit Bumrah has been lethal and Mitchell McClenaghan bowled well in last game to make-up for his expensive spells earlier in the tournament.
The Lions have had their share of problems despite a star studded batting line-up. Their first two losses were poor but they got their act together in last match, outclassing Kings XI Punjab at Rajkot by seven wickets. Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith have found top form while Aaron Finch is yet to fire. Skipper Suresh Raina remains the key. Raina has played some breathtaking knocks at Wankhede.
Bowling has been their main problem but with the comeback of Ravindra Jadeja in last game they look more balanced.
