*LSG VS MI PREVIEW- MATCH 63*
*THE BUILD UP:*
This has to be one of the most pivotal games of the tournament. The winner will have a strong chance to book their playoff berth but the loser will have to purchase a calculator to further see how the other games pan out. This is the beauty of an incredibly competitive season and as viewers, we expect nothing short of drama in this contest as well.
While MI have lost Archer, they shouldn’t be too bothered about it as the 8cr buy from MI was mediocre at best this season, failing to turn up in crunch moments. Mumbai still have a relatively weak bowling lineup comprising of inexperienced players who haven’t been exposed to the high pressure situations but it’s their batting that is compensation for a below par bowling and is clicking collectively. The class of SKY is back and their middle order is deadly enough to threaten any side’s bowling. With a slowish surface at LSG, it will be key how the MI batters adjust to the conditions and rise to the challenge.
LSG on the other hand are coming off an incredible come-from-behind win against SRH. Nicholas Pooran is having a season to remember and the fact that he smashed a 13 ball 44 to complete a victory that seemed distant for Lucknow should be a confidence boosting factor heading into another home game, their last of the season. What has hurt LSG the most has been the surface of Lucknow at hand, it’s not conductive for stroke making and it’s the reason why their batters have failed to dominate proceedings here. If a similar surface is offered, we could be in for a low scoring affair at the Ekana.
*MI PROBABLE XI:*
Rohit Sharma(c), Ishan Kishan(wk), Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Nehal Wadhera, Tim David, Hrithik Shokeen, Piyush Chawla, Chris Jordan, Kumar Kartikeya, Jason Behrendorff
Chris Jordan could be used in the powerplay to counter the goods that Jordan offers. The former holds a pretty good record against the left handed protea and Rohit will be tempted to use him upfront. Jordan has dismissed the wicket keeper four times in just 33 balls, while conceding just 45.
The Black soil surface here could prove to be a nemesis for the MI batters. They have gotten used to scoring in excess of 200 and batting with intent but tonight offers them with an opportunity to test their skills on a skiddy surface. As challenging as it may sound, but if MI pass this hurdle, then it’s a confirmed playoff spot. SKY vs the spin resources of LSG could be one fiesty battle specially with the Mumbaikar’s return to form and his innovative stroke play against spin bowlers.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Akash Madhwal the hero from Mumbai’s last game will be the impact substitute with Nehal Wadhera playing a similar role if they bat second.
*LSG PROBABLE XI:*
Quinton de Kock(wk), Kyle Mayers, Prerak Mankad, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Krunal Pandya(c), Ayush Badoni, K Gowtham, Yudhvir Charak/Yash Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan
Krunal Pandya has a great match-up against Chawla: 36 runs off 16 balls while getting dismissed only once. Krunal batting in the middle, facing Chawla could be icing on the cake for the LSG skipper to regain his form. He could be flexible with his batting position to make this happen.
Marcus Stoinis has an impeccable record against Jordan and with Jordan expected to bowl at the death, Stoinis could make merry of this matchup against the Caribbean born England pacer. But the bag of tricks that CJ has and how well he uses them to effect could really decide the fate of this game.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Amit Mishra, the veteran who has ruled the proceedings with spin for LSG this year, will feature as the impact substitute. Badoni could play a similar role if LSG bat second.
Though Mishra is now used to bowling in the middle overs, we could see a change tonight. Krunal could very well use him to send Kishan and Rohit back to the dugout as the LSG leggie boasts of a stunning record against the MI openers, dismissing them a collective 10 times.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THIS GAME:*
*FOR MI:*
Highest run getter- Nehal Wadhera/Suryakumar Yadav
Highest wicket taker- Piyush Chawla/Chris Jordan
*FOR LSG:*
Highest run getter- Nicholas Pooran/Marcus Stoinis
Highest wicket taker- Amit Mishra/Ravi Bishnoi
*FOR THE GAME:*
MI to win this game