Published: May 21, 2016, 02:38 PM (IST)
Edited: May 21, 2016, 08:43 PM (IST)
Another three group stage matches to go and it is not clear as to who the final four in the Playoffs will be. This tie between Gujarat Lions (GL) and Mumbai Indians (MI) to be held in Kanpur is a deciding match of IPL 2016. MI are placed at No. 5 while GL are steady within the top 4. Another win for GL means they secure their place in the Playoffs. If MI need any hope to go through the Playoffs they need to win by huge margin based on their run rate. Skipper Rohit Sharma has been savior for MI in most of the situations while GL skipper Suresh Raina is back with a bang as he has gone past Vrat Kohli’s record as highest run scorer in this edition of IPL. With both teams having a balanced unit, let’s have close look at the possible key clashes:Â Full Cricket Scorecard: Gujarat Lions vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2016, Match 54 at Kanpur
Rohit Sharma vs Dhawal Kulkarni: Rohit has never let MI down with his performance barring a few outings when luck did not favor him. Considering he will be opening the innings for MI chances of having another Mumbai boy opening the attack for GL are on cards. Dhawal Kulkarni has played earlier with MI and also under the captaincy of Rohit. IIn the previous outing between these teams, it was Kulkarni who scalped Rohit’s wicket. So will Rohit avenge earlier poor performance or will Kulkarni take over once again, is to look out for.
Martin Guptill vs Praveen Kumar: Joining the MI skipper is Martin Guptill who needs no introduction after his stellar performance in the previous game. With his hard knocks he can surely take over GL yet another experienced seamer Praveen Kumar. Kumar can be handy with his economical bowling skills and can also pick crucial wickets, although he missed out on that opportunity in the last game between MI and GL. On the other hand, Guptill is yet to face the fast bowlers of GL. This will another important clash in today’s must win match.
Kieron Pollard vs Dwayne Bravo: It is the clash of the Caribbeans. Everyone is aware the drama that Bravo and Pollard have had in previous editions of IPL. In the last game between MI and GL, it was Bravo who left no opportunity to drop an important wicket of Pollard. Knowing that both these players are all-rounders and come out in the middle be it with the bat or ball, a clash between the two is surely there. With the recent rantings about the West Indies selection, it will be interesting to see how they face off each other.
Brendon McCullum vs Mitchell McClenaghan: It is not just the clash of West Indians but also the clash of Kiwis. McCullum opens the innings for GL while McClenaghan opens the attack. Knowing that McClenaghan is the leading wicket taker in this IPL, it will exciting to see how McClenaghan would react to wicket of McCullum or will it be the other way round where McCullum smashes every delivery to a boundary of six.
Ravindra Jadeja vs Krunal Pandya: It is spin vs spin here. Krunal  has proven his stance with his brilliant 85 runs knock against Delhi Daredevils (DD) while Jadeja has come int he middle at the time of need to boost the innings. He has provided finishing touch for GL especially that humongous six against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) providing his side another win. With the ball as well, they are equally talented to rope their side to victory. Definitely, some googlies are on the way at Kanpur.
(Shruti Hariharan is a Content Writer with CricketCountry. You can follow her on Twitter at @Shruti_2890)
