The Most Successful Team in the history of the league will be facing a team that is playing its debut season. The stories in this season are quite opposite, Mumbai Indians, even after playing 4 matches failed to register a win in the points table. Lucknow in the same number of matches registered 6 points on the table.
Lucknow is coming in this game, after a close encounter against Rajasthan, where their own decision of sending Marcus Stoinnis at 8th position cost them the match.Â
Pitch Venue Report
The match will be played in Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai. A venue that is quite favourable for batsmen both historically and recently. In the 5 matches played on this venue so far in IPL 2022, 1st innings scores of 177, 210, 180, 189 and 215 are recorded, and 3 out of the 5 times, these totals got chased.
Coming specifically to afternoon games on this venue, with less swing and almost no dew, the role of spinners has increased drastically, in comparison with night games. In the 2 afternoon matches we witnessed on this venue, Spinners got as many wickets as Fast Bowlers even by bowling around just 38% of total overs. A pacer is getting a wicket per 22 balls, whereas a spinner just takes 14 balls to do the same.
Probable Playing XI
Mumbai Indians
Ishan Kishan (wk), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Dewald Brevis, Tilak Verma, Kieron Pollard, Fabien Allen, Jaydev Unadkat, Murugan Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Tymal Mills,
Lucknow Super Giants
Quinton de Kock (wk), KL Rahul (c), Deepak Hooda, Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stonnis, Krunal Pandya, Jason Holder, Krishnaspa Gowtham, Andrew Tye, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan
Important Players
KL Rahul: Even though that Lucknow’s Captain has not performed much in the 5 matches till now, He is by far the most prolific run-getter in the last 4 seasons (2018-2021) of IPL by scoring 2548 runs with an average of 62. His consistency in this format is remarkable, and with having great matchups against all the Mumbai Bowlers, he has a chance to play up to his potential in this game.
Ravi Bishnoi: As mentioned in the Pitch Report, Spinners in terms of wickets (or dream 11 points) have provided more value than fast bowlers and with both the MI openers averaging less than 30 against Right-Arm LegBreak Bowlers (in IPL).
Ishan Kishan: 15.25 crore, the most expensive player in IPL Auction that too by a margin of 1 crore, has not lived up to his expectations or the price offered.
In this IPL season so far, He has scored 178 runs with an average of 44 but the scoring rate of these runs is a major issue for his team. He scored these runs with a strike rate of 122. His way of batting will have a major impact on the success of Mumbai.
I preferred him over Rohit Sharma due to matchups and the fact that he is a wicketkeeper which can you give you points worth 10-20 runs just by this.
Jasprit Bumrah: The Bowling Quality of Sharma’s Army has reduced significantly compared to previous years. They have remained with just one wicket-taking fast bowler, Bumrah.
Rohit’s usage of him will play a decisive role in the result of this match, especially when they are against a side with quality batting. Considering LSG’s heavy top order and Rohit’s way of captaincy, Bumrah will most probably bowl 2 overs within the powerplay. One (if required) in the 2nd middle overs phase, or unless 2 in the death.
Bowling in death means there are high chances of getting wickets, which makes Bumrah a great option to consider as Captain or Vice-Captain in your Fantasy XI, especially in the case of Mumbai Bowling First.
Some Important Numbers/Trivia
- Bumrah is yet to take a wicket at Brabourne Stadium and bowled with an economy of 11.86 (2 matches)
- Kieron Pollard averages less than 22 and never scored a 50 at this venue (8 Matches)
