We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report
Mumbai have struggled to score runs at the Wankhede Stadium, their home ground. Although they successfully chased 98 runs against Chennai, they stuttered on the way by losing 5 wickets. Before that, they had been bundled out for 138 runs while chasing a target of 169.
To make matters worse for the batters, the last two games here have been low-scoring. The pacers managed 13 of 22 wickets. Shot selection is the key.
Also read: Kolkata vs Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Fantasy Cricket Tips
Teams
Probable XI for Mumbai: Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Tristan Stubbs*, Ramandeep Singh, Tim David*, Daniel Sams*, Kumar Kartikeya, Hrithik Shokeen, Jasprit Bumrah, Riley Meredith*
Probable XI for Hyderabad: Abhishek Sharma, Kane Williamson* (c), Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram*, Nicholas Pooran* (wk), Shashank Singh, Washington Sundar, Marco Jansen*, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, Umran Malik
Power Players
Amidst rising talents and experienced cricketers, the debutant Tilak Verma has emerged as Mumbai’s best performer. With 368 runs at an excellent average of 41, he is the team’s top run-scorer. He has both technique and temperament.
Aiden Markram has been so consistent that he has only two scores below 20. Overall, he has managed 358 runs including three fifties, one of which came at the Wankhede Stadium.
Abhishek Sharma has contrasting scores at the venue: 65 and 0. The duck came against the part-time bowling of Glenn Maxwell, trying to pull a straight delivery and missing it completely. The star batter otherwise has been brilliant throughout the season. His 374 runs have come at an average of 31 and a strike rate of 135.
Smart Picks
While Umran Malik does the damage in the middle overs, T Natarajan finishes things off in style at the death. The duo has taken 36 wickets between them. The bounce at the venue must keep them excited.
Jasprit Bumrah followed his record-breaking five-wicket haul with impressive figures of 1 for 18 against Chennai. He is doing both containing the onslaught and taking wickets. He has finally found his lost mojo.
4 of Daniel Sams’ 11 wickets have come at the venue. He wrapped up Chennai’s top three batters within 7 balls. The pitch favours his style of swing-bowling.
Ishan Kishan’s 270 of 327 runs have come at the Brabourne Stadium and Dr DY Patil Sports Academy. He has been ordinary at the other two venues, that is, on pitches where conditions have been conducive for pacers in the powerplay. Hyderabad will have to send him back before he finds his feet.
Mumbai have bowled the worst in the middle overs, and this should encourage the rampaging Nicholas Pooran. He has blasted 263 runs with a strike rate of 146.
Rahul Tripathi is a different batter when the pitch has bounce and carry. His 58 against Bangalore here included 6 fours and 2 sixes. More importantly, his strike rate reads 160 – the best in the team.
Form Concerns
The captains of both teams are in the middle of a lean patch. Rohit Sharma and Kane Williamson average a mere 18 in 12 games. The sigh of relief for the fantasy players who have picked Williamson is that he has taken 9 catches, the most for Hyderabad.
Match Preview
While Hyderabad have to win both games to stay alive in the playoffs race, Mumbai have nothing to lose. That being said, Hyderabad have better numbers as well as team combinations to their credit. In addition, the return of Natarajan has further bolstered their bowling attack.
Time: May 17, 3:30 PM IST