The semifinalist of last edition are hanging at the bottom of the table. The defending champions have already created a record of losing their first five consecutive matches. Will they be able to win even a single match at UAE? Sunrisers on the other hand have their own problems. Starting with captaincy issue with Dhawan being a misfit, the strong team has already lost 3 of the 4 matches. Yet, today they may taste victory as Mumbai India team is facing bigger problems. Overall, in an average scoring match Sunrisers should prevail.
Journey so Far in 2014
Sunrisers has a better journey as compared to Mumbai Indians, as they have at least won a match.
Performance of Sunrisers
- 1. Lost to RR by 4 wickets
2. Lost to Kings XI by 72 runs
3. Def DD by 4 wickets
4. Lost to CSK by 5 wickets
Performance of MI
- 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
History
Both have won one match each in 2013.
- SH won by 7 wkts, MOM: Ishant Sharma
MI won by 7 wkts, MOM: Pollard
Overall IPL Performances
Sunrisers had an impressive first season reaching the semifinal and finishing fourth, but their poor outing in the second season so far have left them with 11 wins and 11 losses.
Mumbai Indians on the other hand are defending champions and four time semifinalists, of which two times they reached the final. Overall they have 59 wins 43 losses and were part of one no result.
Team Comparison
With only losses so far Mumbai Indians have nothing positive. Except Malinga the bowling unit can be compared to a third-grade club team in the current edition, despite having four 50+ wicket taking bowlers of IPL. In batting, except Rohit Sharma’s one half-century they have nothing to show case. Corey Anderson and Pollard have failed, Rayudu does now know how to explain why he was retained ahead of Karthik or Maxwell. Michael Hussey suddenly does not even appear to be the shadow of destructive Hussey that IPL has known so far in the past editions. Overall there is no performance so far, except Malinga’s bowling that can be appreciated.
Sunrisers on the other hand are also not far from allround shoddy performances. Their strike bowlers Steyn and Amit Mishra have failed to get back into the habit of taking wickets. Karn Sharma is comparatively more impressive still not threatening for opponents. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is their best bowler so far, except the last match. Overall the team whose bowlers have earned them a semifinal berth in their first edition in 2013, have failed as a unit. Even their batsmen have failed to rise despite strengthening on top with the addition of Warner and Finch. They won the match in which the top three batsmen including Captain Dhawan managed to stay alive. Overall, as a team they also have not much to showcase so far.
Verdict
Among the worst performers so far, Sunrisers still appears slightly better as a team. The captains of both the teams are struggling with their tricks, and both needs to be replaced. Still based on performances of last four matches, Sunrisers appears a winner today, and Mumbai Indians appear set to leave UAE with all-loss record.
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