Mumbai: Mumbai Indians will take on Pune Warriors India at their home ground at Wankhede Stadium. The Mumbai Indians will be high on confidence after their one-sided encounter with defending champions Chennai Super Kings. The team from Mumbai showed tremendous ability in the field and controlled most part of the match. Pune Warriors will go into the match as the underdogs as they are missing on the star quotients. Both the teams will strive hard to win the match, as in a long tournament like IPL, one needs to gain some early momentum. Let’s have a look at the players who can make an influence on the game.

Mumbai Indians:

Richard Levi: The young South African played some great shots against Chennai in his debut match. Levi can hit some very big shots and all his ability was on display when he walked out to bat against the defending champions. Wankhede pitch will provide some bounce and Levi will enjoy the bounce. Levi likes to dominate the bowlers right from the first ball and going by his performance in the last match he will be a force in himself.

Kieron Pollard: Pollard bowled beautifully in the last match but it is his batting ability that will give nightmares to the opposition captains. In the last match he did not get the opportunity to bat and he will be raring to go. Pollard played some superb knocks against Australia will be waiting for his chance to bat. Pollard is an impact player and can turn a match in the matter of few overs.

Pragyan Ojha: Ojha was playing his first match for Mumbai Indians against Chennai, but he never showed any nervousness. Ojha bowled with tremendous control and got some important wickets. Ojha got Raina caught in the deep when he was looking dangerous. Ojha gave away only 17 runs in four overs and got two wickets. He will be a threat if he continues to bowl the way he did.

Lasith Malinga: Malinga’s name will always appear in the list of the players who can have an influence on the match. In the last match Malinga showed what he is known for, He gave away only 16 runs and bowled with immense control. We also got the glimpse of his deadly Yorkers and once again Mumbai Indians will be banking on their pace spearhead to provide them the early breakthroughs.

Pune Warriors India

Sourav Ganguly: All eyes will be on Sourav Ganguly when Pune will take the charge. Ganguly is once again doing what he is best at-captaining a side. He always believes in leading from the front and the Warriors sure do need that. Michael Clarke will not play in this match as he is with the Australian side in the West Indies and that will put more pressure on Ganguly.  Pune finished ninth in the previous editions and will be looking to change that and for that Ganguly will have to perform

Jesse Ryder: The explosive Kiwi left-hander will look to make his mark on this tournament. Ryder has been in-and-out from his national side, but when it comes to T20 cricket he is always a player to watch out for. Ryder can score very quickly and the Warriors will be hoping for him to come good because if he does he will take his team a long distance.

Ashish Nehra: Nehra is coming off from a long break. Nehra has had severe injury worries in the past as he always succumb to injuries, but one thing is a fact that whenever he is fit he performs. Nehra will look to make an impression early in this season and will be raring to go. It is a golden chance for this left-arm fast bowler to put his name in contention for the national team by performing well in IPL.

Ashok Dinda: Dinda has been performing brilliantly at the domestic level and that won him a place in the national team. Dinda has been an efficient performer over the years and will be looking to make an impact on this match. Dinda bowls with a lot of heart and always look to pick wickets. Pune Warriors will need Dinda to perform well if they want to challenge the strong Mumbai Indians side.
Indian Sports News