The race for the playoffs berths is getting more intense with every match as IPL 2024 nears the business end. Sunrisers Hyderabad have a good chance of finishing in the top four and to enhance their position, they will hope to bag full points from their match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede on Monday.
While stepping out of the mid-table logjam will be the motivation for the Sunrisers, the same cannot be said about the home team, Mumbai, who have had a harrowing season and occupy the last spot in the standings. But given the prestige they command as the five-time champions, Mumbai would surely hope to end the season on a high before they draw up plans for a fresh start next year.
Chances for that though look bleak. Captained by Hardik Pandya, Mumbai have looked a disjointed unit this time even though they had a strong team on paper. Sunrisers therefore enjoy a clear upper hand in the contest.
Pat Cummins’ team have erected mountains of totals and have even won close contests, like their thrilling one-run win over table-toppers Rajasthan Royals in their last game.
They are surely among the title contenders this time and will hope to further bolster their confidence and position with a superlative performance.
When the two teams met in the first leg, it turned out to be run-fest with Sunrisers putting up 277/3 in 20 overs before Mumbai made a brave chase only to fall 31 runs short.
A similar story could also unfold at the Wankhede on Monday, unless of course the Jasprit Bumrahs and the T. Natarajan dictate terms, and not the batters.
