IPL 2021 Match 31: Can SRH find some momentum against MI?

Tags: Indian T20 League 2021, Hyderabad XI vs Mumbai XI, 31st Match at Delhi, May 04, 2021, Hyderabad XI, Mumbai XI

Published on: May 04, 2021

Scorecard | Commentary | Graphs

Amid the IPL being hit by COVID-19, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will take on Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 31 of IPL 2021 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Despite a change in captain, SRH’s fortunes did not change against Rajasthan Royals (RR).

They were battered brutally by Jos Buttler and went down by 55 runs, without putting up much of a fight. Time is running out for SRH as far as qualification for the playoffs in concerned. They are at the last position with one win from seven matches.

Like they do every year, MI are peaking at the right time. After a couple of poor games, they have recovered by defeating RR and CSK in their last two matches. Against CSK, they were particularly impressive, chasing 219 off the last ball. MI are at number four in the points table with four wins and three losses from seven matches. They will be high on confidence going into the clash against SRH and would definitely begin as favourites.

SRH looked like a disjointed unit the way they performed against RR. Buttler went after the bowling and, apart from Rashid Khan (again), no one else could make any impression. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed and Vijay Shankar all went for plenty. Mohammad Nabi, who was brought into the match as SRH altered their overseas combination, was slaughtered for 21 runs in the only over he bowled.

SRH went into the last game minus sacked captain David Warner. As per reports, they are likely to stick to the same combination as far as overseas players are concerned, which means Warner might have to sit out again. With or without Warner, their batting is struggling. Jonny Bairstow and Manish Pandey need to convert starts while Vijay Shankar, Kedar Jadhav and Abdul Samad need to get some runs. They have been heavily dependent on Kane Williamson.

MI pulled off a sensational chase against CSK, as Kieron Pollard played a spectacular knock. Quinton de Kock is back among the runs while Rohit Sharma looked fluent in the last game although he again failed to covert a start. Having moved out of Chennai, the Pandya brothers too are beginning to find their groove. The form of Suryakumar Yadav has been poor, but MI will be confident of him getting among the runs soon.

The MI bowlers had an off-day against CSK as everyone except Rahul Chahar and Kieron Pollard went for plenty. Jasprit Bumrah, in particular, suffered as he ended up delivering his most expensive spell in the IPL. But, it was that kind of a day for bowlers. Most of the CSK bowlers also struggled to control the batsmen. As such MI, will not be all that worried.

SRH: Jonny Bairstow (WK), Manish Pandey, Kane Williamson (C), Vijay Shankar, Kedar Jadhav, Abdul Samad, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Sandeep Sharma

MI: Rohit Sharma (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, James Neesham, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Dhawal Kulkarni

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