• Match: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians, 8th Match, Indian Premier League 2024
• Date and Time: March 27, 02:00 am GMT / 08:00 pm BD / 07:30 pm local time
• Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad

In their maiden match under the leadership of their new skipper, Pat Cummins, the team endured a heart-wrenching loss to the Kolkata Knight Riders, falling short by a mere 4 runs in a pulsating encounter marked by high scores. As they prepare to lock horns with the Mumbai Indians, Cummins is optimistic about his squad’s resilience.

In the preceding clash, Mayank Agarwal and Abhishek Sharma showcased commendable prowess with the bat, and the team pins its hopes on them for a blazing start. Rahul Tripathi shoulders the responsibility of stabilizing the innings at No. 3, with the support of Heinrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram, both of whom are in fine fettle. Contributions from Abdul Samad, Marco Jansen, and Shahbaz Ahmed are anticipated to fortify the batting order.

Following a lackluster bowling display in the last outing, the team places its trust in Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Marco Jansen to deliver disciplined spells. T Natarajan’s promising form is anticipated to persist, while Cummins endeavors to steer the middle overs effectively. Mayank Markande and Shahbaz Ahmed offer additional depth to the bowling arsenal.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians, led by Hardik Pandya, encountered a setback in their season opener against the Gujarat Titans. Eager for redemption, Pandya is determined to rally his troops and notch their first points of the season. With a favorable track record against the Sunrisers, Pandya aims to instill confidence in his players by drawing inspiration from past triumphs.

Despite Ishan Kishan’s absence in the previous fixture, he is poised to make a significant impact alongside the in-form Rohit Sharma. The middle order, comprising Naman Dhir, Dewald Brevis, and Tilak Varma, exudes strength, with Tim David and Pandya bolstering the batting lineup.

On the bowling front, Pandya and Luke Wood are keen to bounce back after a lackluster performance in the last match. Jasprit Bumrah’s stellar showing injects a sense of assurance, while Shams Mulani, Piyush Chawla, and Gerald Coetzee are primed to provide effective support against the formidable batting lineup of the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins (c), Mayank Agarwal, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Marco Jansen, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Markande, T Natarajan.

Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Rohit Sharma, Naman Dhir, Dewald Brevis, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Hardik Pandya (c), Gerald Coetzee, Shams Mulani, Piyush Chawla, Jasprit Bumrah.

Who will win the toss? – Mumbai Indians
Who will win the match? – Sunrisers Hyderabad

Captain: Rohit Sharma
Vice-Captain: Hardik Pandya

Heinrich Klaasen, Mayank Agarwal, Tilak Varma, Aiden Markram, Pat Cummins, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Piyush Chawla, Jasprit Bumrah, Gerald Coetzee.

This fixture signifies the venue’s comeback to hosting games following a prolonged break. Initially, the conditions are projected to tilt in favor of the bowlers, offering them some leverage. Historically, teams have tended to prefer chasing targets at this venue. Hence, winning the toss holds significant importance as the team in possession is poised to leverage the favorable conditions by opting to field first. This strategic move aims to capitalize on the early advantage, aiming to contain the opposition to a modest score.

The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad is celebrated for its batting-friendly pitch, offering abundant opportunities for batsmen to exhibit their prowess and execute shots with freedom. Fast bowlers might encounter difficulties in extracting substantial assistance from the track, requiring them to exert additional effort to leave a mark. Conversely, spinners have traditionally flourished on this surface, capitalizing on their variations and cunning to achieve success.

Clear skies are forecasted over Hyderabad, indicating favorable weather conditions for the upcoming match. The pitch at this venue has been consistently flat, resulting in high-scoring encounters in the past. Batsmen typically find it relatively easy to accumulate runs on this surface, while bowlers often face challenges in containing the opposition. A target of around 180 runs would be considered satisfactory for the team batting first on this batting-friendly pitch.

• Stadium: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium
• City: Hyderabad
• Capacity: 38, 000
• Ends: Pavilion End, North End
• Hosts to: Hyderabad (India), Sunrisers Hyderabad