Hyderabad, April 22 (NationPress) The Indian Premier League 2025 journey makes its way back to Hyderabad for a pivotal confrontation between a faltering Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and a revitalized Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium this Wednesday. For the home side, this match represents more than just another fixture — it’s a vital opportunity for rejuvenation in what has been a lackluster season thus far.

With merely two victories in seven matches, Pat Cummins’ squad is under significant pressure to reverse their fortunes. Their performance has been marred by inconsistency, particularly in the batting lineup, which, despite featuring explosive talent, has failed to deliver. The bowling attack has also struggled, contributing to SRH’s position in the lower half of the standings.

SRH’s weaknesses on slow, turning pitches have been glaring this season. Their recent four-wicket loss to MI in Mumbai, where the pitch provided grip and turn, showcased their struggles to adapt. Even home advantage hasn’t favored them — they’ve lost two out of three matches at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

However, the pitch in Hyderabad has offered SRH their only glimpses of batting prowess this season. Their two home wins came on flatter surfaces, resulting in high-scoring matches against the Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings. SRH will be hoping for a similarly batting-friendly wicket this time to reignite their campaign.

The focus will be on openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, the two left-handers on whom the team's success heavily relies. Abhishek has been the standout performer with his record-breaking 141 off 55 balls against Punjab, marking the highest individual score of this IPL. Conversely, Head hasn’t reached his full potential, and SRH will be eager for their Australian ace to find his rhythm against a formidable MI bowling lineup.

A defeat in this match would further complicate SRH’s playoff hopes and escalate the pressure. Adding to their concerns, their head-to-head record against MI is also unfavorable — SRH has managed to win only 10 out of 24 encounters.

In contrast, the Mumbai Indians arrive in Hyderabad with a surge of momentum. After a rocky start, the five-time champions have made a remarkable comeback with three consecutive victories, the most recent being a resounding nine-wicket triumph over the Chennai Super Kings. Chasing down 180 on a flat pitch, MI cruised to victory with over four overs to spare — a commanding win that highlighted their resurgence.

Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten 76 and Suryakumar Yadav’s explosive 68 not out in that match were encouraging for MI supporters, showcasing both players' return to form. With Tilak Varma in excellent form and Naman Dhir emerging as a reliable finisher alongside skipper Hardik Pandya, MI’s batting depth is beginning to align.

Although Jasprit Bumrah hasn’t ranked among the top wicket-takers this season, his control and precision have improved with each match. He’s expected to be deployed strategically once again, with Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar handling the new ball. This could pose a challenge for SRH’s top order if they lose early wickets.

The pitch will be a critical factor. If Hyderabad presents another flat surface, the matchup could tilt in SRH’s favor, allowing their hard-hitting lineup to take charge. Conversely, if the pitch slows down, MI’s well-rounded bowling attack and in-form players could seize the upper hand.

When: The SRH vs MI match will take place on Wednesday.

Where: The SRH vs MI contest will unfold at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.

Where to watch: The SRH vs MI clash will be broadcasted on the Star Sports network with live streaming available on JioHotstar.

Squads:

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Atharva Taide, Abhinav Manohar, Aniket Verma, Sachin Baby, Smaran Ravichandran, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Travis Head, Harshal Patel, Kamindu Mendis, Wiaan Mulder, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Shami, Rahul Chahar, Simarjeet Singh, Zeeshan Ansari, Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga.

Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (c), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Robin Minz, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Shrijith Krishnan (wk), Bevon Jacobs, Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Will Jacks, Mitchell Santner, Raj Angad Bawa, Vignesh Puthur, Corbin Bosch, Trent Boult, Karn Sharma, Deepak Chahar, Ashwani Kumar, Reece Topley, VS Penmetsa, Arjun Tendulkar, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Jasprit Bumrah.