Saturday, May 20, 2017

Dubai: The stage is set for an intriguing finale to the 10th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with four-time finalists Mumbai Indians taking on a resurgent Rising Pune Supergiant at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday.

Mumbai carries the aura of being a two-times winner but Pune, having already beaten them thrice this season (twice in league stages and once emphatically in the first Qualifiers), seem to have the measure of their opponents. The question on everybody’s mind is whether Mumbai’s skipper Rohit Sharma can become the first captain to lift the IPL trophy thrice and go one up on Gautam Gambhir and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, both of whom have lifted it twice.

Sharma is being challenged by Pune skipper Steve Smith, who has already proved his credentials as an outstanding captain for Australia. In Twenty20 format where captains have to think on their toes with the additional pressure of a final, captaincy skills of both of them will be put to test.

Sharma will have to come out with a successful strategy against Pune in the final because all his strategies in the three matches he employed against Pune had fallen flat.

Mumbai opener Parthiv Patel, who stood amidst the ruins in the first Qualifier with a half-century, is their highest run getter with 391 runs from 15 matches. Their best bowler is Mitchell McClenaghan with 19 wickets from 14 matches. What Mumbai needs is gamechangers like Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Lendl Simmons and Ambati Rayudu to produce their best.

Skipper Sharma with 309 runs from 16 games at an average of 23.76 had his worst show since the inaugural IPL and hence a match winning knock in the final from him is vital. Their bowling is led by stars like Lasith Malinga and Mitchell Johnson with strike bowlers Karn Sharma and Bumarh

After defeating Kolkata Knight Riders in the second Qualifier, Sharma is bubbling with confidence though cagey about Pune.“Victory gives you a lot of confidence. Taking wickets at regular intervals and keeping the score under control is important. That’s been the hallmark of this team, we are not dependent on one individual. We’ve not had a great history against (Pune). It’s just one more hurdle.”

Pune may not have many stars among them but all of them have acquitted to their roles well. Seventeen-year-old off spinner Washington Sundar with three wickets that destroyed Mumbai in the qualifier is deadly. Medium pacer Jaydev Unadkat, with 22 wickets at an economical rate of 7.24, has thevariety to stun the best batsmen. Experienced campaigner Manoj Tiwary, with 317 runs from 14 games, has given stability to their middle order. Rahul Tripathi and Ajinkya Rahane are capable of playing good knocks but all eyes will be on Smith and Dhoni.

A team which has to face the Smith-Dhoni combination will always be in danger. Those who have watched the matches closely will understand that while Smith has handled the bowling changes well, it is Dhoni who has often set the field. A combined team effort is what creates a winner, especially in T20.

After beating Mumbai in the qualifier, Smith has remarked: “We’ve got the momentum when we needed. You really need to peak at the right time in tournaments like this. We have executed our plans really well.”

It will be interesting to watch if the ‘Maharashtra Derby’ produces a new champion in Pune or crown Mumbai as champions for the third time.

Catch-the-match

Final: Mumbai Indians vs Rising Pune Supergiant

Venue: Hyderabad, 6.30 pm UAE

Live telecast on OSN Sports HD Cricket

By K.R. Nayar Chief Cricket Writer

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