IPL 2024: MI vs SRH Match 55 – Top 3 player battles to watch out for

MI vs SRH. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

Bottom-placed Mumbai Indians (MI) will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Match 55 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. MI have lost eight of the 11 matches they have played so far and are on the verge of being eliminated from the tournament. On the other hand, SRH have won six of their 10 matches and are well in contention for the playoffs.

Earlier in the season, the two teams came face to face in Hyderabad and it was a batting feast for the fans. An aggregate of 523 runs were amassed, with SRH posting the then-highest-ever total in IPL history – 277. MI displayed a brilliant fightback (246/5) but it wasn’t enough for them to get over the line.

This time, MI will be hosting the party at the iconic Wankhede Stadium and Hardik Pandya and Co. will be aiming to settle the scores. The venue is known for producing high-scoring thrillers and expect a cracking game when the two clash again. MI look a bit weak in both departments, can they stop the SRH batters from putting up a show on their home turf?

Here are the top three player battles to watch out for in IPL 2024: MI vs SRH, Match 55:

3. Rohit Sharma vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Rohit Sharma started off the IPL 2024 season on a strong note, often giving MI a strong start in the Powerplay. However, in the last four matches, the veteran opener has struggled to find runs. He was dismissed for cheap scores inside the first six overs. Looking at his current form, SRH will not worry too much about the former MI captain and they have Bhuvneshwar Kumar to tackle him in the initial overs.

The two senior Indian players clashed in 61 balls in the IPL and scored 81 runs with one dismissal. It will be interesting to see how Rohit fares against Bhuvi’s swing, especially when the right-arm pacer is coming off the back of a match-winning performance against Rajasthan Royals.

Also Read: Mumbai Indians’ strongest predicted playing XI against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Match 55

2. Travis Head vs Jasprit Bumrah 

Travis Head has been in tremendous form this season and has become one of the major reasons behind SRH’s impressive run so far. On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah is the backbone of the MI pace attack and has been in red-hot form with 17 wickets from 11 matches. With two in-form players going head-to-head, fans are expecting a riveting battle at Wankhede.

Notably, when the two teams met earlier this season, Travis Head slammed a blazing 24 runs off 62 balls. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah conceded an economy of just 9.00 while his teammates went above 15. The southpaw can completely change the course of a game with his ferocious hitting and MI will need their ace pacer to get rid of the threat early on.

1. Heinrich Klaasen vs Piyush Chawla

In their previous encounter against MI, Heinrich Klaasen scored an unbeaten 80 off just 34 balls. The openers will set the stage for a huge total and the Proteas hitter will come in and do the rest of the damage mercilessly. This has been the trend so far this season and SRH will stick to the same strategy in the upcoming match.

Also Read: Sunrisers Hyderabad strongest predicted XI against Mumbai Indians

Heinrich Klaasen is a brilliant player of spin and that makes his battle against MI’s veteran spinner Piyush Chawla fascinating. MI’s planning of applying breaks in the middle overs with spinners will not work against SRH due to Klaasen’s presence. However, Chawla has dismissed the keeper-batter once in the 14-ball rivalry, conceding 28 runs.