The defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) will be locking horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 9th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. MI had suffered a close loss against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the opener of IPL 2021 and then fought back from behind to stun Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
As for SRH, they have got off to a disappointing start in the tournament, losing two close games to KKR and RCB respectively. They would be desperate to register their first win of the first season earn a couple of points first points on the board. With MI taking on SRH on Saturday, We look at the three player battles to watch out for.
#1 Hardik Pandya vs T Natarajan
MI big-hitter Hardik Pandya is yet to hit his straps in IPL 2021. He was wonderfully undone by Harshal Patel in the game against RCB. Against KKR, he was smartly outfoxed by his Indian teammate, Prasidh Krishna. Teams would feel they can get the better of Hardik by either taking off the pace or not bowling in his arc.
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Pandya most often comes in to bat at the slog. As such, he is most likely to face T Natarajan at the other end. Though India’s new bowling sensation hasn’t impressed in the IPL 2021 so far, he has been successful in finding the yorker-length delivery more often than not. Hardik is someone who is capable of converting those deliveries into boundaries.
#2 Suryakumar Yadav vs Rashid Khan
Suryakumar Yadav has been enjoying a purple patch in his IPL career in recent times. He has taken on the bowling more often than not. Although he has failed to convert knocks into big innings, there is no reason to believe Yadav will change his batting style going into the clash against SRH. One thing is for sure if Yadav stays at the crease during the middle and end overs, he will be expected to face SRH leggie, Rashid Khan. The Afghan bowler, on expected lines, has been SRH’s best bowler on the show thus far. Khan has given literally nothing away while claiming crucial wickets
#3 David Warner vs Jasprit Bumrah
SRH skipper David Warner was at his usual best against RCB. He eased his way to 54. He played fast bowlers without any trouble and was handling the slow bowlers pretty well. Once he threw his wicket away to Kyle Jamieson though, SRH crumbled and came second best in a chase. Warner will be keen to correct his mistakes in the game against MI.
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Considering how heavily SRH is dependent on Warner in terms of batting, he will have to give a decent start to the team by negotiating the likes of Jasprit Bumrah. The MI pacer, like every year, has been tough to getaway. In the match against KKR, he bowled superbly at the death to keep MI’s hope alive against the odds. If SRH fancies winning the game against MI, it would be crucial for Warner to tackle Bumrah smartly.
