IPL 2017 Preview | Match 2 : Rising Pune Supergiant vs Mumbai Indians

T20 cricket is unpredictable. However, some things become easier when you stick to a plan. Mumbai ticked one such box by maintaining a strong core over the years. The team doesn’t have major injury concerns either, barring Tim Southee, down with a hamstring niggle.

With Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya fit to play the opener, and Kieron Pollard eager to prove his credentials, Mumbai have enough experience in their ranks. The team, will, however,  miss the services of Lasith Malinga in their lung opener, as the fast bowler is on national duty in a T20I series against Bangladesh.

Supergiant, on the other hand, have made several changes to the squad and have also replaced Dhoni with Australian Steve Smith as skipper this season. Supergiant picked up England all-rounder Ben Stokes for an astronomical Rs 14.5 crores at this year's auction. Several members of their squad have been in great form both in the international arena and domestic cricket, and this augurs well for the team.

While their pace attack doesn’t appear menacing, they have a very good spin attack headlined by Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa and Imran Tahir, the current No 1 T20 bowler in the world.

Head to Head

The teams have met just twice, as Supergiant entered the League only last year following the two-year ban on CSK and Rajasthan Royals. They stand 1-1 after Mumbai exacted revenge after suffering a humiliating defeat in their first meeting. Ajinkya Rahane struck 66 runs off 42 balls to help Supergiants’ (as they were known then) make a winning start in the IPL after restricting Mumbai to 121.

Last Meeting

Rohit Sharma took Supergiants' attack to the cleaners with a stunning 85 after Saurabh Tiwary and Steve Smith’s helped their side make 159.

Predicted Playing XI

Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (capt), Parthiv Patel (wk), Jos Buttler, Ambati Rayudu, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell Johnson, Jasprit Bumrah, Tim Southee

Rising Pune Supergiant: Ajinkya Rahane, Mayank Agarwal, Faf du Plessis, Steven Smith (capt), Ben Stokes, MS Dhoni (wk), Rajat Bhatia, Shardul Thakur, Ankit Sharma, Ashok Dinda, Imran Tahir

Key Players

Rohit Sharma (MI): When it comes to the IPL, the Mumbai skipper is up there with the likes of Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli as a destroyer of attacks. 

Steve Smith (RPSG): Australia skipper Smith is in spectacular form with the bat after scoring three centuries in the recent four-Test series in India. The additional responsibility of captaincy could motivate him further as he leads a side that includes Dhoni, easily the most influential figure in contemporary cricket.

Ben Stokes (RPSG): Stokes was snapped up by the Sanjeev Goenka-owned franchise for Rs 14.5 crores at this year's auction after the enterprising England all-rounder emerged successful in both the Test and limited-overs tour of India late last year. The New Zealand-born is a game-changer. 

Venue: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune

Timing: 8 PM IST

TV Listings (India): Sony Six HD, Sony Six, Set Max, Sony ESPN