Mumbai Indians will play their first game at home against Rajasthan Royals, champions of the first edition. In the head-to-head comparison, the Shane Warne led unit is ahead of Sachin Tendulkar’s side 2-1 and the master batsman would definitely want to correct that.Mumbai Indians will play their first game at home against Rajasthan Royals, champions of the first edition. In the head-to-head comparison, the Shane Warne led unit is ahead of Sachin Tendulkar’s side 2-1 and the master batsman would definitely want to correct that.
Mumbai Indians
What more can you ask for when you have Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya as your opening batsmen. And if that’s not enough, add the most prized catch of the season – Kieron Pollard.
With domestic players like Shikhar Dhawan and Abhishek Nayar in good form, Mumbai’s batting looks more than potent. The USP of the team is the presence of as many as five useful allrounders, including JP Duminy who is not in great form. However, what goes in Duminy’s favour is his success in the last IPL season and the fact that he is a proven class. Both Duminy and Dwayne Bravo, who is coming after an injury lay-off, will have to play a crucial role in the middle overs, both with the bat and ball.
The bowling attack lies on the strong shoulders of India’s pace and spin spearheads – Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh, along with T20 specialist Lasith Malinga. With allrounders like Bravo, Pollard, Duminy, Jayasuriya and Nayar, Tendulkar has a lot of part-time bowling options at his disposal.
Rajasthan Royals
Led by an inspirational skipper, the Rajasthan Royals would be looking to start off the third season on a winning note after failing to live up to their own high standards last year.
While the Jaipur-based team has its own share of international stars, the rich pool of domestic talent has always been their strength. The likes of Swapnil Asnodkar, Yusuf Pathan and Siddharth Trivedi have showcased their talents in the last two seasons and Warne would inspire them to do the same this time around.
While Graeme Smith will lead the attacking top-order, Damien Martyn will provide the wealth of experience in the middle order. As Warne has shown by being the highest wicket-taker for his side with 34 scalps, his wily leg-spinners still cause terror in the batsmen’s mind.
Munaf Patel, who’s their second highest wicket-taker, seems a different bowler when playing under Warne. His accurate and economical bowling will compliment the raw pace of Aussie speed-gun Shaun Tait.
All in all, this game will be a battle of wits between two of the game’s greatest players –Tendulkar and Warne.
Teams (Probable XI):
Mumbai Indians: Sachin Tendulkar (capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Shikhar Dhawan, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Abhishek Nayar, Aditya Tare (wk), Zaheer Khan, Lasith Malinga, Harbhajan Singh, Dhawal Kulkarni
Rajasthan Royals: Graeme Smith, Swapnil Asnodkar, Yusuf Pathan, Abhishek Jhunjhunwala, Damien Martyn, Naman Ojha (wk), Syed Quadri, Shane Warne (capt), Munaf Patel, Siddharth Trivedi, Shaun Tait
Mumbai Indians
What more can you ask for when you have Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya as your opening batsmen. And if that’s not enough, add the most prized catch of the season – Kieron Pollard.
With domestic players like Shikhar Dhawan and Abhishek Nayar in good form, Mumbai’s batting looks more than potent. The USP of the team is the presence of as many as five useful allrounders, including JP Duminy who is not in great form. However, what goes in Duminy’s favour is his success in the last IPL season and the fact that he is a proven class. Both Duminy and Dwayne Bravo, who is coming after an injury lay-off, will have to play a crucial role in the middle overs, both with the bat and ball.
The bowling attack lies on the strong shoulders of India’s pace and spin spearheads – Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh, along with T20 specialist Lasith Malinga. With allrounders like Bravo, Pollard, Duminy, Jayasuriya and Nayar, Tendulkar has a lot of part-time bowling options at his disposal.
Rajasthan Royals
Led by an inspirational skipper, the Rajasthan Royals would be looking to start off the third season on a winning note after failing to live up to their own high standards last year.
While the Jaipur-based team has its own share of international stars, the rich pool of domestic talent has always been their strength. The likes of Swapnil Asnodkar, Yusuf Pathan and Siddharth Trivedi have showcased their talents in the last two seasons and Warne would inspire them to do the same this time around.
While Graeme Smith will lead the attacking top-order, Damien Martyn will provide the wealth of experience in the middle order. As Warne has shown by being the highest wicket-taker for his side with 34 scalps, his wily leg-spinners still cause terror in the batsmen’s mind.
Munaf Patel, who’s their second highest wicket-taker, seems a different bowler when playing under Warne. His accurate and economical bowling will compliment the raw pace of Aussie speed-gun Shaun Tait.
All in all, this game will be a battle of wits between two of the game’s greatest players –Tendulkar and Warne.
Teams (Probable XI):
Mumbai Indians: Sachin Tendulkar (capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Shikhar Dhawan, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Abhishek Nayar, Aditya Tare (wk), Zaheer Khan, Lasith Malinga, Harbhajan Singh, Dhawal Kulkarni
Rajasthan Royals: Graeme Smith, Swapnil Asnodkar, Yusuf Pathan, Abhishek Jhunjhunwala, Damien Martyn, Naman Ojha (wk), Syed Quadri, Shane Warne (capt), Munaf Patel, Siddharth Trivedi, Shaun Tait
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