The Mumbai Indians play their fourth game of the Indian Premier League 2011 when they take on the other team from Maharashtra, the Pune Warriors in the 21st game of this year’s edition. It will be the fourth one for the Warriors as well.
Mumbai v Pune odds:
The Mumbai Indians were the runner-up last season and seemed to have continued this season from where they had left off earlier. They won two games in a row before meeting their match in Kochi Tuskers who chased down 181 that the Mumbai Indians had set them.
Pune’s first foray into the IPL hasn’t been too different from Mumbai’s performance; two wins followed by a loss while defending a 180-plus score to the not so fancied, Delhi Daredevils.
Mumbai Indians (8/13 at
Stan James) go into this game as favourites, and it is understandably so, given the power-packed batting and the balanced bowling attack. Pune (7/5 at
Bwin) will need their bowling to come good to be able to contain the home team.
Ground and Pitch:
It is going to be played at the Wankhede Stadium, the same ground where the Tuskers chased down 181 – a sign that the pitch will be batting-friendly. However, there will be no or very less dew given that this is going to be an early start, which means that chasing anything over 160 may not be so easy.
Player News:
The Mumbai Indians have been the best batting side in the three games played so far. A lot is indicated from the fact that none of Kieron Pollard (8/1 at
Boylesports) or Andrew Symonds (8/1 at
Boylesports) have even got a ball at the crease. Sachin Tendulkar (15/8 at
Boylesports) has played three unbeaten innings including a century while Ambati Rayadu’s (5/1 at
Stan James) confidence seems to have been stoked by his captain to the ultimate level.
The sense that one gets is that Davy Jacobs (4/1 at
Stan James) may be feeling the heat. The reason behind this is that he hasn’t yet got going with the bat and has used up precious balls at the start of the innings to get going. While neither Pollard nor Symonds have ever opened the innings, it may be a gamble worth taking.
Pune’s batting on paper looks strong but they need much more from Graeme Smith (7/2 at
bet365) and Robin Uthappa (6/1 at
Stan James). In fact, Smith will be lucky to get another game given the pedigree of some of the players waiting in the ranks – Callum Ferguson (7/1 at
bet365) being one of them.
Yuvraj Singh (9/1 at
bet365) found his IPL form in the previous game but it wasn’t enough to take his side home. He love-hate relationship with the Wankhede crowd will also spice things up for both, him and his side, as he looks to guide Pune with the bat and in the field.
Prediction:
Mumbai favourites but the team batting first will have an advantage.
