Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders were the two consistent teams in the group stages, but now, only one team can make it to IPL 2017 final. Mumbai Indians lost to Rising Pune Supergiant in Qualifier 1 while KKR beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator to set up this mouth-watering Qualifier 2 at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday.
There is no point stressing on the importance of the match as it is a do-or-die contest. The winner will plays RPS in the final while the losing team can watch the game from their luxurious couches in their respective drawing rooms.
With the number of star players in both Mumbai Indians and KKR camp, one cannot wait for the action to begin.
Here are some of the talking points ahead of Qualifier 2.
Lynn-sanity
Chris Lyyn has been one of the biggest stars of IPL 2017, scoring runs for fun, and that too taking the aerial route, but he failed for the first time in the competition, against SRH. The Australian will be disappointed with that, as he failed to capitalise on his run-scoring form, and the Mumbai Indians bowlers could be at the receiving end now.
People in the crowd, come with head gears as it could rain sixes.
Gautam Gambhir's consistency
The skipper has led from the front in most of the matches this season. He has reshuffled the batting order a number of times, but has been consistent, scoring 486 runs in IPL 2017. With attacking players around him, Gambhir has played as per the situation, and given other players the central role while doing his job silently as well.
When the chips are down, KKR will always look for inspiration from their skipper be it with the bat or some good captaincy skills on the field.
Rohit Sharma – time to deliver
As far as Rohit Sharma's standard is concerned, this IPL has not been impressive for the right-hander. He has scored 283 runs. Rohit will be desperate and it could just be his night in Bengaluru on Friday.
Rohit is due for a big score, and the Mumbai player could just make this night special with one of his elegant innings, filled with fours and sixes.
Pollard's six hitting ability
If KKR have Lynn, Mumbai Indians have Pollard, who has been a consistent player for them in the last few editions. If the MI top order help their team get to a flyer, Pollard will have the license to go for the kill, and it is in such juncture when there is no pressure, the West Indian can come onto his own and power Mumbai to the finals, single-handedly.
Both teams should not aim too high while batting first
The pitch in Bengaluru has been different in IPL 2017. Last season and in the past too, teams scored huge runs, but the pitch is not flat this time around, and run scoring is not that easy. Team, which bats first, should not go bonkers, and just try to keep their wickets in the first few overs, and play aggressive cricket later on to score good runs. They should target 160 odd runs or something, and anything beyond that is a bonus.
Will rain play spoilsport?
The Eliminator match between SRH and KKR was intervened by rain, and finished in the wee hours of Thursday morning. Nobody wants the game of cricket to be spoiled by some rain, but you never know in Bengaluru, where the weather has not been the best in the last few days. There is no rain forecast, but the rain gods might just make a visit in the stadium. You never know about the garden city and its weather.
