IPL 2014 Match 36 Preview: Sunrisers Feel at Home against Nervous Mumbai Indians

The Points tally tell the tale of this game, added with the history. While Sunrisers are fighting with KKR to grab the 4th position, MI is fighting with DD to avoid the last position. For the first time in the current season, Sunrisers play at home in Hyderabad. Last year they had only lost one match at home. MI on the other hand is a story of losing matches during this edition. Overall with the last two wins, and Hyderabad as venue, Sunrisers pose a huge threat to Mumbai Indians, who must win all matches to stay alive.

IPL 2014 Schedule and Result

Journey So Far
Sunrisers Hyderabad

    1. lost to Rajasthan Royals by 4 wickets.
    2. Kings XI Punjab by 72 runs.
    3. Def DD by 4 runs.
    4. Lost to CSK by 5 wickets.
    5. Def MI by 15 runs.
    6. Lost to RCB by 4 wickets.
    7. Def RR by 32 runs.
    8. Def DD by 8 wickets (D/L)

Mumbai Indians

    1. Lost to KKR by 41 runs.
    2. Lost to RCB by 7 wickets.
    3. Lost to CSK by 7 wickets.
    4. Lost to DD by 6 wickets.
    5. Lost to SRH by 15 runs.
    6. Def KXIP by 5 wickets.
    7. Def RCB by 19 runs.
    8. Lost to CSK by 4 wickets.

Head-to-Head: SRH 2-1 MI
They shared a match each at home in 2013, and in UAE SRH defeated MI by 15 runs.

    2013 Hyderabad: SRH won by 7 wkts, MOM: Ishant Sharma
    2013 Mumbai: MI won by 7 wkts, MOM: Pollard
    2014 UAE: SRH won by 15 runs, MOM: Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Overall IPL Performances
MI has been the second best team behind CSK with one win, in two finals and fours semifinals, but the defending champion is going through Champion’s plight phase of IPL where except CSK all have performed poorly in the next IPL, after winning the tournament. They have also won the CLT20 Championship.

From the first edition till their last match of current edition, Mumbai Indians have won 58 matches, lost 45 matches.

Sunrisers on the other hand have reached the semifinal on their first attempt. Overall they have won 14 and lost 11 matches since their beginning in IPL 2013.

Team Comparison
SRH has experienced a mixed journey so far. Bhuvneswar Kumar with 15 wickets is the Purple Cap holder but otherwise Sunrisers have no commendable performers. Warner has scored 242 runs and Finch has scored 195 runs, but even their inconsistent performances and others including captain Dhawan has hurt them the most. They have scored only 4 half-centuries so far and overall their batting needs improvement. Still, that should not be their concern as their strength lies in bowling. Dale Steyn (10 wickets) and Amit Mishra (6 wickets) has not been so successful, still their last game shows in India they are getting back to rhythm. That should raise alarm for other teams. The journey till halfway has not been so successful, but the other half of tournament gives them hope for success.

MI on the other hand has only seen down side of the tournament so far. Reaching home helped them as they registered two wins, after 5 consecutive losses. But in their last match they lost against CSK and that ended their 10-match winning streak at home. Overall, except Malinga’s deadly bowling (13 wickets) and Pollard’s late success (203 runs) they have nothing to cherish. Batsmen are failing. Although Rayudu (209 runs) and Rohit Sharma (201 runs) have scored more runs, that does not lead to winning results.

Even in bowling their second best bowler Harbhajan Singh has taken 6 wickets only. Overall they are failing as a team.

Verdict
With Hyderabad as home, and Sunrisers already looking more dangerous than 2013, Mumbai Indians hold no chance at Hyderabad. The bowling of B Kumar, Steyn, Amit Mishra and Karn Sharma is lesser known than MI bowling unit, but better performer this season and that is enough to win at home.

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