Mumbai Indians v Cape Cobras – Champions League T20 – Match Preview
Mumbai Indians will lock horns with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Cape-Cobras-c776 in the only Champions LeagueT20 match today, which will be played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, September 30, 2011.
Despite winning their first two matches and a semi-final place well in sight, the Mumbai squad still has plenty of problems to address. Their top and middle-order has been non-existence so far and were lucky to come out top against Chennai Super Kings and
Trinidad & Tobago.
Their highest run-getter in the tournament has been their raw pacer, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SL-Malinga-c2540. The Sri Lankan scored a crucial unbeaten knock of 37 in their first encounter and guided the team to the winning line with another decisive innings of 15.
It has been their overseas stars, whose form with the bat is a cause of concern with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Harbhajan-Singh-c61453 highlighted the batting frailties after their nail-biting
win againshttp://www.senore.com/Cricket/Thomas-George-Burrows-c93472 T&T.
Their bowling department though has been their strongest link. With Malinga their key wicket-taker, the support bowlers have all managed to curtail their opponents with good line and length. Also Harbhajan has looked sharp since his return to injury. Although
he is dropped from the first two ODIs against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013, the Indian management will be more than happy to recall their premier spinner for the remaining fixtures.
The key for them will be Pollard. The all-rounder has yet to set the tournament on fire and is not in the best of touches. However, one cannot discard his destructive capabilities with either bat or ball and he will be rearing to get some quick runs under
his belt.
Among all the teams in the competition, the win against Cape Cobras will ensure the Mumbai outfit a place in the semi-finals, despite having a game to play. However, it won’t be easy sailing for a side yet to play at their peak.
Their Proteas opponents will look to get back to winning ways after stumbling to Chennai Super Kings. A sensible knock by all-rounder http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DJ-Bravo-c1379 kept the Group wide open. His 46 from 25 balls, which included 3 fours and 2 sixes, ensured that the Cobras
do not have a easy passage for the next round.
Having said that, Cobras still are a very strong unit possessing a good all-round team, where everyone plays a crucial part. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/OA-Shah-c2134 (45) and Jean-
Paul Duminy’s all-round ability almost took the team past the finishing mark.
The main victim of Bravo's innings was pacer http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DW-Steyn-c1409. Excluding his final over in which he was hammered for 17, his previous seven (including both games) went for a total of just 38 runs. However his one over cost his side the match, and so will look
to make amends when bowling against Mumbai.
Both teams won’t be making wholesale changes to their respective XI, though http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mumbai-c820 might alter their batting composition, which looks short on confidence.
The pitch will again assist the slow bowlers like it has done over the course of the competition and the result of the encounter might provide everyone with the first team which could play in the knock round of the tournament.
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