Internet Desk: Two of the most consistent teams in IPL 10 clash against each other in Qualifier 1 at the Wankhede Stadium tomorrow for a place in the final. Hosts Mumbai Indians will have a great opportunity to avenge their double losses against the Rising Pune Supergiant, who will be without their talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes. The English cricketer has returned back home to take part in the ODI series against South Africa ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.
Both the teams will go into the Qualifier 1 after a comprehensive wins in the last group league encounters. Mumbai, playing without several key players still managed to outplay the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens to secure the top spot. While Rising Pune Supergiant comprehensively beat Kings XI Punjab by 9 wickets to secure the second spot in the table.
There is a lot at stake as the winning team goes straight into the final to be played in Hyderabad on May 21, while the loser gets another chance in the Qualifier 2, to be played on May 19 in Bengaluru.
Supergiant’s will feel confident going into the Qualifier 1 against MI, having had a hundred percent win record against them in the league stages. But the task will be cut out for Steve Smith’s side as potential match winner Ben Stokes will not be available.
Mumbai Indians batting will have a slight edge over the Supergiant’s due to the fact that most of the batsmen are in form. West Indians Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard, Parthiv Patel, skipper Rohit Sharma, Nitish Rana can destroy any bowling line up on its day. The Pandya brothers have been delivering when needed and the hosts will expect that they rise to the big occasion.
Considering that the Wankhede track will be batting friendly, it is expected to be another high-scoring affair.
The only concern for Mumbai Indians though will be the form of the bowlers. The bowling attack comprising of Lasith Malinga, Mitchell McClenghan, Jasprit Bumrah has let in more than 200 runs in their last home match at Wankhede.
Supergiant bowling trio of Jaydev Unadkat (21 wickets), Shardul Thakur (8 wickets) and Dan Christian (9 wickets) have been impressive and regularly taking wickets. The trio will need to strike once again to restrict Mumbai. But their biggest worry will be to fill the spot left vacant by Stokes.
Pune opener Rahul Tripathi has been in superb form at the top. The Maharashtra batsman has amassed 388 runs in the cash-rich T20 league. He will need support from his partner Ajinkya Rahane, who is yet to score a big knock this season.