Match 15 Preview: Mumbai Indians (63%) have better chances against Pune Warriors (37%)
Players from both the sides will be geared up for one of the most anticipated derbies this season. When it comes to the strength of both sides, Mumbai are far more superior to Pune on paper and off it as well. Bolstered with the return of Lasith Malinga, Mumbai are all set for an exciting contest. They have clicked as a unit in this tournament displaying explosive batting, methodical bowling and decent fielding. Ponting's calm and poised captaincy has worked wonders for them and he along with Sachin will be hoping to get some runs at the top, which has been their only concern in the tournament so far.
With Tendulkar and Ponting struggling for form, the likes of Dinesh Karthik, Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu and Kieron Pollard have once again showed their match-winning qualities. Karthik has been the batting mainstay in these three games scoring 183 runs that includes a blinder of 86 from 48 balls against Delhi.
Rohit also came in form in the last match by scoring stylish 74 and helping Mumbai cross the 200-mark. Rayudu (24 in 8 balls) too chipped in and looks to finding his feet back. Big-hitter Pollard, who played a match-winning knock against CSK also played a cameo and is doing more than enough to keep out million-dollar man Glenn Maxwell from the playing XI.
Mumbai won against Delhi by 44 runs in its previous match. Ricky Ponting, Lasith Malinga, Keiron Pollard, Mitchell Johnson are the probable hit foreigners in today’s match.
On the other hand, Pune has risen following a seven-wicket win with more than an over to spare against the Rajasthan. The opening order worked for Pune this time with Aaron Finch and Robin Uthappa stepping up the plate. However, the best Pune performances have majorly come from the bowling department and they will look to play to their strengths on Saturday to cause an upset in this epic Maharashtra battle.
Angelo Mathews, Aaron Finch, Ross Taylor, Mitchell Marsh will be interesting to watch, although Marsh has been trying desperately to live up to his 'all-rounder' tag but has failed so far. He has looked lackluster with the bat managing to accumulate only 22 runs till now. Also, he has not been able to do anything spectacular with the ball either.
With the batsmen joining the party from the last game, a confident Pune side will be desperate to tilt Mumbai's apple-cart. Pune will continue to miss the services of Marlon Sameuls who is out with a groin injury.
Share this
