Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) both find themselves standing neck and neck. Same points, nearly the same NRR, but from what it seems, an entirely different fate. MI had spent much of the current season as a wallflower, only to end up in the inner circles, surrounded by the coolest group. That’s what four consecutive wins will do to you. Their players look in fine touch, high on confidence, just when it matters most.
But LSG, unfortunately for them, stand on the wrong side of fortune. Things haven’t hit the right notes for them, which jeopardizes whatever success they have gathered so far. Their campaign has now started to wobble under the weight of flaws that have followed them since the beginning of the season.
For instance, they played their season opener against Delhi Capitals (DC) and just recently played them again. In both games, what stood out as common for LSG was how their momentum fizzled out in the middle overs.
Team Overview:
LSG’s top three batters, including Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran, have made 1068 runs out of the team’s total of 1626 runs this season. This leaves a few less than 600 runs to be scored by the remaining players, nearly half of which were scored by Ayush Badoni. This is enough to explain why LSG is headed south now. Barring his 63-run knock, which came in a losing cause against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Rishabh Pant, IPL’s most expensive buy in history, could not do much for his team. Similar has been the case with David Miller. His best score this season is an unbeaten 27, which is far from what he is capable of or what LSG would have designated a role for him.
It’s not the same Mumbai Indians (MI) team that kicked off its campaign with a defeat at the hands of CSK. All of their problems at that time have magically transformed into their strengths now. Rohit Sharma seems to have hit a purple patch. Suryakumar Yadav has been brilliant throughout the season. Ryan Rickleton and Will Jack’s lukewarm form might be the only worry for MI right now, and sooner or later, the pair will need to pay the think tank for their trust in them. On top of their batting peaking, MI’s bowlers have done a tremendous job. They have the second-best bowling average in all games so far.
Head-to-Head Matches:
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have always dominated Mumbai Indians (MI), barring one game from their seven encounters when the latter team triumphed over the former in Chennai.
Weather and Pitch Report:
This is Wankhede’s first day game, so both teams will be up for battle with each other and Mumbai’s hot weather. The venue has, so far, been more inclined towards the game, but with the sun out, the bowlers can hope to get some help.
Prediction:
MI is going through a high currently, and they will look to continue that on their home ground as well.
Where to Watch:
India: Star Sports Network, JioHotstar
UK: Sky Sports, SkyGo
USA: Willow TV
Australia: Kayo TV, FoxTel Go
Bangladesh: T Sports, Toffee app
New Zealand: Sky Sports NZ
Afghanistan: ATN
South Africa: SuperSport
Sri Lanka: Dialog
MENA: Cricbuzz
