New Delhi:
The fourth playoff spot is yet to be grabbed going into the final day of league stage in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). While the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) have an outside chance (only mathematically), the real tussle is between the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Even Mumbai Indians (MI) will be looking to win their last league game against KKR to claim a place in the top two and have an extra chance to qualify for the finals.
With a place in the top two up for grabs, there is no chance of MI experimenting and according to the reports in India Today, they have decided to include the legendary Yuvraj Singh in the playing XI. The left-hander has warmed the bench throughout the season after playing in four matches scoring 98 runs which also includes a half-century in the losing cause. He scored his runs at a strike-rate of 130.67 and this move could eventually turn out to be game-changing for MI.
Mumbai Indians is likely to drop one of their overseas players in order to accommodate veteran southpaw Yuvraj Singh in the line-up. Yuvraj Singh, has played in crunch situation and knows how to play in the high-pressure games as one will be against Sunrisers. Evin Lewis seems to be the most vulnerable link in their playing XI at the moment as he hasn’t done well batting at number three. With Quinton de Kock doing well at the top and Rohit Sharma adamant on opening the innings, Lewis had to come down the order and that hasn’t worked for him.
Also, with Barinder Sran not performing to the expectations, Beuran Hendricks might make his debut for the Mumbai based franchise. He was roped into the squad as Alzarri Joseph’s replacement and is yet to play a game this season. The left-arm seamer has decent numbers in South Africa domestic circuit in the shortest format and could be a good pick for this crucial encounter.
If MI wins this game, SRH will become the first team in the IPL history to qualify for the playoffs with only 12 points to their name.
