The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 group stage nears its climax, with only a handful of matches remaining. Match number 67 promises to be a cracker, featuring Mumbai Indians (MI) locking horns with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on May 17th.
This fixture holds high significance for several players, particularly those transitioning directly from the IPL to the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. With a high-scoring Wankhede pitch and strong batting lineups on both sides, fans can expect a thrilling encounter.
ALSO READ: Match 67 (MI vs LSG) – Playing XI and Fantasy XI Predictions
However, history favours Lucknow. In their five encounters with MI, LSG has emerged victorious on four occasions, leaving MI with just a single win. As the teams gear up for this crucial battle, here are three key player matchups that could significantly impact the outcome:
#1 Suryakumar Yadav vs Ravi Bishnoi
Suryakumar Yadav’s recent century against SRH at Wankhede makes him a high-priority target for LSG. Finding the right bowling matchup to contain his explosive batting is critical. Looking at LSG’s bowling stats, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi emerges as a potential game-changer. Bishnoi has troubled Yadav in the past, dismissing him thrice in just 32 balls. Yadav has managed only 39 runs against him, with a mere four boundaries. This battle will be a test of both Yadav’s ability to read and counter the spin, and Bishnoi’s skill in outsmarting the in-form batsman.
#2 Jasprit Bumrah vs KL Rahul
LSG skipper KL Rahul has yet to find his peak form this season. While attempting to improve his strike rate, his consistency has wavered. This final league game at the batting-friendly Wankhede presents him with a golden opportunity to prove his mettle. Historically, Rahul has fared decently against MI’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, scoring 146 runs in 117 balls.
However, Bumrah has emerged victorious on two occasions, bowling 46 dot balls to the right-hander. This duel promises to be a fascinating display of raw pace versus elegant strokeplay.
#3 Rohit Sharma vs Mohsin Khan
Since his century against CSK at Wankhede, Rohit Sharma’s performance has dipped significantly, managing only 88 runs in the subsequent seven innings. This lack of strong starts has impacted the overall team performance, raising concerns for both MI and Indian fans. In this high-pressure match, he faces a new challenge in the form of LSG’s young left-arm pacer, Mohsin Khan.
Rohit has historically shown a vulnerability against left-arm pace, and Mohsin, known for his express deliveries, has already dismissed him once in just eight IPL balls. This encounter will test Rohit’s technique and ability to adapt against a rising talent.
