IPL 2019, MI vs SRH: Big threat for Hardik Pandya, challenge for Rohit - Top 5 player battles

Sunrisers Hyderabad are placed at the fourth spot with 12 points, just below Mumbai Indians who have 14 points from 12 games.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will be aiming for two crucial points and boost their chances of making it to the playoffs when they take on Mumbai Indians (MI) on Thursday. Sunrisers are placed at the fourth spot with 12 points, just below Mumbai who have 14 points from 12 games.

File image of Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya (AFP)

In their last match against Kings XI Punjab, SRH had secured a comfortable 45-run win at home riding on the heroics of David Warner. However, with Warner gone, the Kane Williamson-led side will have to reassess their strategy, especially in the batting department.

On the other hand, MI lost their last encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders by 34 runs, and thus would be desperate for a win to confirm their berth in the playoffs. With their bowlers going for plenty against KKR, skipper Rohit Sharma will be hoping for a better performance from his bowling unit.

Here are the Top five player battles from Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad -

Rohit Sharma vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Rohit Sharma did not enjoy the best of starts to his IPL 2019 campaign but a fifty against Chennai Super Kings proved once again how dangerous he can be at the top of the innings. Bhuvneshwar has also struggled to take wickets at regular intervals and his tally of 8 wickets from 12 matches will not please him ahead of the World Cup 2019. With both being regulars in the Indian cricket team, it will be an interesting battle between bat and ball when these two face off on Thursday.

Hardik Pandya vs Rashid Khan

Pandya’s 34-ball-91 against Kolkata Knight Riders was one of the best knocks of IPL 2019 for the all-rounder and that will give him a lot of confidence with just two games to go. However, on the other end, Rashid Khan has also enjoyed a brilliant run of form in the ongoing tournament and the fact that he has dismissed Pandya twice in IPL will surely play a major part in their on-field battle.

Kane Williamson vs Lasith Malinga

With David Warner and Jonny Bairstow leaving for national team duty, a look of responsibility will fall on the shoulders of SRH skipper Kane Williamson. He has not played many matches in IPL 2019 but has looked in good touch lately. However, against Malinga, it will important for him to play cautiously or he can become the latest victim of the Sri Lanka pacer who has already taken 12 wickets this year.

Manish Pandey vs Jasprit Bumrah

With two fifties in his latest three matches, Pandey has regained form in the business end of the tournament and it is good news for Sunrisers Hyderabad. On the other hand, Bumrah has struggled to live up to his name as he has proven quite expensive in some matches and has managed to take just 12 wickets in 13 matches. However, this will be a great time for the top-ranked ODI bowler to regain his lost form and if he can get his line and length right, it will tough for Pandey to get going in Mumbai.

Quinton De Kock vs Khaleel Ahmed

With 393 runs and three half-centuries, De Kock has been one of the top performers for Mumbai Indians this season. The Proteas wicket-keeper has contributed a lot towards guiding his team to a comfortable position in the play-offs race and he will not find it easy to play his shots freely against the young fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed. The pacer missed the initial part of the competition due to injury but has made a brilliant return to the Sunrisers Hyderabad side with 11 wickets from six encounters.

(With agency inputs)