Published: May 21, 2016, 08:36 PM (IST)
Edited: May 21, 2016, 08:36 PM (IST)
Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Lions (GL) are fighting off for their final spot in the Playoffs. GL won toss and elect to field first. Rohit Sharma and Martin Guptill opened the innings for their side. Rohit gave a flying start for MI with 4 fours and 2 sixes. Rohit could have been caught with chances of lbw but was saved as umpire denied the lbw appeal made during Dhawal Kulkarni’s first over. Until he charged for another one and was caught unfortunately at by Shadab Jakati for 30, this time Kulkarni got lucky. Very soon, Guptill was gone as well with Dwayne Smith coming into attack in 5th over. It was icing on the cake with third wicket of Krunal Pandya, the hard hitter who can change the scenario of the game. MI made just a single change to their side, while GL kept the same team that proved lucky for them in the previous outing against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Live Cricket Scorecard: Gujarat Lions vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2016, Match 54 at Kanpur
In the previous contests between these two teams, GL outplayed MI by 3 wickets, courtesy Aaron Finch’s match-winning half-century in crunch situation. Despite boasting of T20 superstars, both teams have been blowing hot and cold and have only one chance to make it to the penultimate stage of this cash-rich domestic spectacle. While GL have 16 points under their belt, MI have 14 points with one match to go. If GL beat MI, they are undoubtedly through to the playoffs. If they lose, they will have same points as MI and hope RCB and KKR lose their remaining contest, given their unimpressive net run-rate of -0.479. MI, on the other hand, will have to win by a huge margin, as they are on the same page with GL (considering the net run-rate, yet again).
While GL have the home advantage, it’s unfair to write off the defending champions MI. Both teams have emerged triumphant in their previous encounters and are brimming with confidence. Will Raina’s lions roar yet again or Rohit’s blue brigade reign on GL’s own habitat, is a question only time will tell.
