IPL has come to a phase where even the best of mathematical experts would be breaking their heads with the number of permutations and combinations. Suddenly, we see Chennai in a must win position. Currently, 16 points is expected to be the safe number for qualification.
With just 6 days and 8 matches left in the league stage, the points table is so close that even the team that’s ranked number 9, still has a chance at qualification and teams that are placed second could very well be out of the race of play-offs.
With most teams having just 1 or 2 games left, it’s almost a must win situation for all teams and one team that’s out of contention is looking to play spoil sport for Punjab and Chennai.
LSG VS MI AT LUCKNOW
l QUALIFICATION CRITERIA – For a normal person, it might look like Mumbai and Lucknow are well placed on third and fourth positions respectively in the points table. But imagine, if Mumbai lose this, then they would be in a position to not only be in a must win for their last game against SRH, but also have to work on their poor NRR. Now if Lucknow lose this one, then they could at best reach 15 points and then they would hope for RCB and Punjab to both lose one of their remaining two games.
l TEAM INFO – Hence, it is clear that the team that losses this encounter could fall in a lot of trouble and could very well be out of the play-offs as well. Mumbai lack any serious quality in spin except for the veteran Piyush Chawla. Lucknow would very well like to have a spin friendly wicket. Mumbai are on a brilliant run with 4 wins from the last 5 games. Lucknow had put themselves in a difficult situation, but just in time, they finally found their winning ways against Hyderabad. Expect this to be a nail-biter contest.
l Head-to-Head - Played — 2; Won by LSG – 2; Won by MI – 0
l LSG possible 12 – Q De Kock, K Mayers, K Pandya, P Mankad, M Stoinis, N Pooran, A Mishra, Y Thakur, R Bishnoi, Y Singh, A Khan, A Badoni
l MI possible 12 – I Kishan, R Sharma, C Green, S Yadav, N Wadhera, T David, C Jordan, V Vinod, P Chawla, J Behrendorff, K Kartikeya, A Madhwal
l Pitch & Weather Report – We have seen Lucknow’s wicket producing both low scoring and high scoring encounters. Although expect this one to be a 150-160 run wicket, which supports spin. The hot and humid Lucknow conditions would just support for that as well. Temperatures are expected to be between 29 to 42 degrees, with no chance of rain.
l Match Prediction – It’s a no-brainer that with Mumbai having three away players who bowls medium pace and with the batting line-up of Mumbai not having that kind of quality against spin, Lucknow should go for a spin friendly track. Lucknow have three front line spinners. Although the hot and humid conditions of Lucknow will get dew into play in the evening. ‘SKY’ is obviously the difference between both the sides and Lucknow would want to see his back soon. I feel that this one is going in favour of Lucknow and the famous ‘Malai ki Gilori’ will be the dessert.
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