 Mumbai Indians looking for revenge against Kings XI Punjab
20th May 2008 14:03 IST
Agencies
It was Pollock who led the turnaround from the front when the champion player was unavailable due to a groin injury.
Most importantly for the home team, Sanath Jayasuriya has rediscovered the sort of form which he's most known for and the visitors' attack led by the temperamental S Sreesanth and Irfan Pathan would be wary of what awaits them if they err even slightly in line and length with the former Lankan ace and Tendulkar at the top of the Mumbai batting order.
Though Tendulkar has not fired big in his three matches so far, Jayasuriya has the added comfort of going for the big shots from the first ball with the champion batsman at the other end which has placed a huge burden on the rival opening bowlers to maintain a strict stump to stump line of attack.
Even when Jayasuriya fell for 36 against Deccan Chargers in the last match at Hyderabad the rest of the batting line-up, including Tendulkar who made 23, contributed usefully so that the total reached close to 180, which was enough to deliver the killing blow later.
The home team would certainly be missing the services of West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, who played his last tie at Hyderabad before flying home to take on Australia, but the inclusion of his Caribbean teammate Dwayne Smith would certainly be welcomed.
Punjab XI attack, comprising Sreesanth, Pathan, VRV Singh, Hopes and Piyush Chawla does have some variety, especially now that off spinner Ramesh Powar has been given his first tie. |
