Batbricks7

Friday May 17, 2024, 7:30 PM

Mumbai Indians vs Lucknow Super Giants, 67th Match

Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

HEAD TO HEAD
TotaL        : 5
MI Won     : 1
LSG Won  : 4

The Wankhede Stadium has seen a substantial dip in first-innings scores in night games this season, down to 174 from a high of 200 just 12 months ago. That said, teams will still want to chase.

Besides the fee share differential, teams are also driven by the desire to evade the ignominy of finishing at the bottom of the table. A victory on Friday will lift Mumbai Indians from the 10th position. Whether they remain in the new spot will be a function of teams around them perform.

"We have to play for our pride... We want to end the season on a high," said Naman Dhir on the eve of the game. MI have had a horror season, nothing going well for them except Jasprit Bumrah's bowling and occasional bursts of brilliance from the bat of Suryakumar Yadav. Ahead of the World Cup, there'll also be something to look for, particularly the form of Rohit Sharma and above all skipper Hardik Pandya, who are all in the Indian squad. It could also be of interest to see the reception for the captain if and when when the Mumbai Indians players take a lap of honour.

Lance Klusener went a little further than what Naman Dhir said about the game. "Yeah, I think next year there is a mega auction. There's people that want to impress. I think we're playing for our supporters. We've got a lot to play for tomorrow," the LSG's assistant coach said.

When LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka was seen conversing with skipper KL Rahul in an animated manner after the game in Hyderabad, it was believed to be about how they can win the championship. Now that scenario is out of equation. The Lucknow side is in seventh position and are set to end up in the mid-table. A last four berth is virtually ruled out for them. Goenka and Rahul can now plan only for the next season. That is, of course, only if Goenka retains the captain and Rahul agrees to stay with the team.

Mumbai Indians

It is possible that Jasprit Bumrah will be rested for the clash. Viewed in isolation of the game, that will be a tactical misstep not only because of Bumrah's reputation as a great of the format. He has favourable matchups against Marcus Stoinis (28 runs in 36 balls, 3 dismissals) and Nicholas Pooran (13 runs in 18 balls, 2 dismissals).

Injury and availability:  All players are injury free

Probable XI: Ishan Kishan (wk), Rohit Sharma, Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Nehal Wadhera, Tim David, Mohammad Nabi, Gerald Coetzee, Piyush Chawla [Impact Sub: Akash Madhwal]

 Lucknow Super Giants

 Ishan Kishan has been dismissed four times in 30 deliveries by Ravi Bishnoi, making the legspinner a good option for LSG to use early. Bishnoi also has a favourable matchup against Suryakumar Yadav, having accounted for him three times in 32 balls

Injury and Availability: Barring Mayank Yadav, all players are injury free

Probable XI: KL Rahul (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Krunal Pandya, Ayush Badoni, Arshad Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Yudhvir Singh [Impact Sub: Mohsin Khan]