Mumbai: After losing four close matches, Mumbai Indians will be desperate to rescue their sinking campaign when they take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at Wankhede Stadium here on Tuesday.
Rohit Sharma’s side dispatched the star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore in the last match here after Dwayne Bravo and Jason Roy blinders had snatched the game away from their jaws. In between they almost defended 147 before Sunrisers sneaked home with a one-wicket win in Hyderabad.
On Sunday, too, their bowlers fought back to put themselves in good position in defence of 167 against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur before Krishnappa Gowtham’s heroics of 11-ball 33 steered the hosts home with two balls to spare.
Mumbai Indians have batted well in spells and bowled well in patches but they have been found wanting in closing out matches. Their only win in five games was a one-sided affair.
A couple of no balls in the last three overs didn’t help their cause either on Sunday and Rohit would want more accuracy from his main bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mustafizur Rahman. Bowlers have faltered in key moments and batting has failed to fire in death overs with big hitters Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya yet to get into their stride. Rohit himself has just one big knock of 94 in five games.
However, being in a precarious situation is nothing new for Mumbai since 2013 as they have won three IPL titles in that period.
Sunrisers have suffered two back-to-back losses after starting with three wins under Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson and they will also be keen to bounce back. They also played an edge-of-the-seat thriller against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday.
Fast bowler Billy Stanlake will enjoy bowling on this wicket. Leg-spinner Rashid Khan will also be looking forward to a good game after two forgettable outings.
Williamson has confirmed that pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar will miss the match owing to a niggle, while the visitors are still fretting over fitness of their consistent opener Shikhar Dhawan who missed the last game against CSK owing to injury. “Bhuvi did not travel with the team and is not playing,” Williamson said.
