The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Mumbai takes on Kings XI Punjab

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Wednesday, May 21, 2008
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Sport - Cricket

Mumbai takes on Kings XI Punjab

Nandakumar Marar

CRICKET / Both teams, on the ascendancy, will fight to keep the momentum

The host has six wins on the trot
Kings XI Punjab has been on a roll for a longer time

— Photo: Vivek Bendre

GEARING UP: The visiting side’s captain and icon, Yuvraj Singh will look to take off in Wednesday’s game at the Wankhede stadium.

MUMBAI: Mumbai Indians’ ability to extend its winning habit in DLF Indian Premier League will be tested as Sachin Tendulkar’s team takes on Kings XI Punjab on Wednesday. Six victories on the trot in away and home games after losing the first four is a fantastic achievement by the home team. Every move appears to be paying off and with seniors Shaun Pollock and Sanath Jayasuriya delivering, the confidence is rubbing off on the youngsters in the squad.

But, Kings XI Punjab has been on a roll for a longer time after initial losses. The visitor’s captain and icon, Yuvraj Singh will look to take off in Wednesday’s game at the Wankhede stadium. Mumbai’s varied bowling attack has the potent mix of seam, swing and spin to test his awesome shot-making ability.

Punjab coach Tom Moody has a team of match-winners in Irfan Pathan, Sreesanth, Piyush Chawla, Shaun Marsh and Yuvraj — any of whom can turn a match around in the space of three overs with bat or ball. This will be Mumbai Indians’ last home match in this edition of the IPL.

Bench strength

Brett Lee has returned and Kumar Sangakkara is still recovering, but the others have stepped up and delivered to leave the Punjab side in second spot behind Rajasthan Royals. Pathan and Sreesanth are among the main strike bowlers in the IPL with 13 wickets each and will relish the bounce and movement at the Wankhede. Marsh, handpicked by Moody, is like a run-machine that is always switched on and in fellow Aussie Luke Pomerbasch, the visitor has a clean hitter.

Chawla is a capable leg-spinner who can handle the Jayasuriya test. Ramesh Powar, when in the right frame of mind, can taunt the league’s best batsmen with his teasing off-spin. A highly competitive Mumbai Ranji player, the chance to make an impact in front of home fans will be at the back of his mind. Mumbai ace Shaun Pollock will be a worry for the Punjab batsmen due to his ability to chain down batsmen with swing and cut. He can also fool them with slow balls and goad them into frustration in his four overs.

The South African sat out the previous game with a back problem, so his fitness is a worry for Mumbai when drawing up the final combination.

Dilhara Fernando, thrust into action in his place, was on target against Hyderabad, so Tendulkar has one more option when deciding on Dwayne Bravo’s replacement — Bravo flew back on a chartered flight to join the West Indies squad.

Andre Nel from South Africa and West Indian Dwayne Smith were drafted in on foreign players quota, Ashwell Prince and Loots Bosman have not played yet. Mumbai Indians had lost the first tie against Kings XI by 66 runs at Mohali.

The teams (from):