Match 56 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 will feature the last match of the league state as table-toppers Mumbai Indians will take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Mumbai Indians have not only qualified for the playoffs but already sealed the first position of the points table. This means MI will get an extra match to qualify for the finals.
Sunrisers obviously do not have that luxury. Winning this match would skyrocket them at the number 3 spot. However, losing the match would eliminate them and make way for the Kolkata Knight Riders. IPL 2020 is probably the best season of its 12-year history so far as it still isn’t confirmed which team is going to make it.
MI is coming off a dominating win over the Delhi Capitals. SRH, on the other hand, is coming off a relatively easy win over RCB.
Mumbai Indians
The defending champions have looked flawless in their dominating reign this year. As said earlier, having already locked the first spot, MI is expected to test their bench strength. However, they won’t like to go overboard as winning a match would still help them with the momentum.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
SRH would be extremely proud of their win over the Delhi Capitals. Skipper Warner scored a brilliant fifty and Wriddhiman Saha justified his selection over Johnny Bairstow by scoring two back to back fifties.
Their lower middle-order namely Samad and Priyam Garg should take responsibility as well. Their lack of form puts unnecessary pressure on David Warner, Manish Pandey, and Vijay Shankar.
Their bowling, however, has been great. Jason Holder has been a breath of fresh air for them. Rashid Khan has been picking up timely wickets. Sandeep Sharma and Natarajan have been doing their respective roles. Also, Vijay Shankar is providing a full quota of 4 overs.
Fantasy XI team
JASPRIT BUMRAH (9.5) (C) / DHAWAL KULKARNI (8) – Bumrah has been superb as the tournament progresses. He’s among the top wicket-takers of the tournament. He’ll be our captain. If Bumrah gets rested, we’ll have Kishan as captain and David Warner as vice-captain.
ISHAN KISHAN (8.5) – Kishan scored an impressive fifties against CSK and DC. He has the responsibility to open in the absence of Rohit Sharma. He’ll be our vice-captain.
DAVID WARNER (10.5) – David Warner has been in phenomenal form and has been consistent as well.
SURYAKUMAR YADAV (9) – Yadav scored a phenomenal 79 against the RCB. He’ll do even better with added responsibility in the absence of Rohit Sharma. He’ll be our captain.
QUINTON DE KOCK (9.5) / CHRIS LYNN (9) – De Kock has been getting good starts, he’s at a cusp of a bigger inning anytime soon. If De Kock gets rested, we’ll go ahead with Lynn.
WRIDDHIMAN SAHA (8) – Saha justified his selection over Johnny Bairstow by scoring a phenomenal 87 off just 45 balls against the dangerous DC bowling lineup. He also scored a great fifty against RCB.
MANISH PANDEY (9) – Pandey has been fairly consistent this season. However, he’ll have to take more responsibility.
JASON HOLDER (8.5) – Holder picked up wickets consistently and can bat a bit as well.
TRENT BOULT (9) / MITCHELL McCLENAGHAN (8) – Boult has been among the top wicket-takers of the tournament. Again if he’s rested, we go ahead with McClenaghan.
RASHID KHAN (9.5) – Rashid Khan has always been among wickets. He bowled one of the most impressive spells in the history of IPL taking 3 wickets and conceding only seven runs in his four overs.
SANDEEP SHARMA (8) – Sharma has been in good form and has been consistently among wickets.
PREDICTION
Already despite the absence of Rohit Sharma, Mumbai Indians have been really consistent in their approach. They’re still batting and bowling phenomenally. Their bench strength is phenomenal as well with the likes of the dangerous Chris Lynn who has played T20 cricket all across the world. Mitchell McClenaghan has been one of the highest wicket-takers for them in the last few seasons. They also have the likes of veterans Dhawal Kulkarni and Aditya Tare. Not to forget young guns like Anukul Roy. Mumbai Indians will therefore defeat the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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