IPL 2019: Match 19, SRH vs MI, Preview - Another run-fest on the cards in Hyderabad

It is going to be very tough for MI to go past the home team.

Published - 05 Apr 2019, 18:14 IST | Updated - 05 Apr 2019, 18:14 IST

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Wow! This is the reaction from the batsmen when they walk out to bat on Hyderabad pitch. The curators have dished out a flat deck this season and the home team Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are enjoying it to the fullest. Their openers David Warner and Jonny Bairstow have made full use of the conditions to notch up two century stands in as many matches at the venue. Mumbai Indians (MI) will challenge them on Saturday evening and even they have some of the fierce hitters of the cricket ball.

The SRH have been in great form after losing their opening game and are at the top of the points table with three wins in four matches. Most of the runs have been scored by the top order so far and the middle-order stuttered in a low-scoring chase against the Delhi Capitals. The likes of Manish Pandey and Deepak Hooda should be able to muster runs in case the openers fail in this game.

Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, have blown hot and cold in the four matches. But the way they thumped the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Wankhede is a warning for all the other teams. Though Lasith Malinga is missing from the line-up, they have enough resources on the bench to cover-up and have the bowling attack which can trouble the in-form openers of the opposition.

Their batting is a bit of an issue and especially the opening pair of Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma who are yet to set the stage on fire. If they get going on a placid track in Hyderabad, it will be a treat to watch the duo.

Team Combinations

Sunrisers Hyderabad

The SRH are likely to go in with an unchanged team. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has cleared that Kane Williamson needs as much time as possible to get back to full fitness. Also, his replacement Mohammad Nabi is doing an absolutely fine job at the moment.

Probable XI: David Warner, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Vijay Shankar, Manish Pandey, Deepak Hooda, Yusuf Pathan, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma, Siddarth Kaul.

Mumbai Indians

Mitchell McClenaghan will most probably come back to replace Malinga unless the visitors decide to go in with three overseas players. In that case, Barinder Sran comes into the picture but that looks unlikely at this stage. Yuvraj Singh hasn’t performed to the potential in the last couple of matches and he might have to sit out for Ishan Kishan. Also, Mayank Markande comes straight back in if he is fine in place of Rahul Chahar.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah, Jason Behrendorff, Mitchell McClenaghan.

Toss Update: SRH won the toss and opted to field

IPL-2019-PLAYING-XI-SRHvMI

Focus will be on

Manish Pandey (SRH)

Manish Pandey has once again looked a pale shadow of himself. He has got a chance of batting only on two occasions so far and had less pressure with the bulk of the job been done by the openers. But he hasn’t stepped up to the task. The pressure will be mounting on him and needs to deliver quickly to stay in the team.

Quinton de Kock (MI)

This man came into the IPL after pummeling Sri Lanka across the formats. He was in the form of his life. But after four matches, De Kock only has a solitary half-century to his name. Also, he might have to leave the tournament early ahead of the World Cup and needs to make the most of these chances in order to stay with the team next year as well.