Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians IPL 2020 56th Match Predictions

All things end, and iterations of the Indian Premier League are no different. With the 56th match, we come to the conclusion of the most closely-contested edition of the IPL to date. At the time of writing, 54 matches down, there are still four contenders vying over 3 playoff spots which are essentially up for grabs. The only difference between these teams is that either Delhi Capitals or Royal Challengers Bangalore will take the number two spot on the table, while the loser of that encounter will compete with Kolkata Knight Riders and potentially Sunrisers Hyderabad for the last two spots. The ‘potentially’ before Sunrisers Hyderabad is there because they are about to face league leaders Mumbai Indians for their final match - a do or die encounter that will determine their fate in the tournament. Before this trial by fire begins, let’s take a look at the two teams.

Sunrisers Hyderabad Preview & Form

In the course of a season, SRH have gone from choking, to winning, to losing, to being terribly boring with the bat, to losing some more, and ultimately suddenly becoming a dangerous force that looks hungry for the playoff spots that were virtually out of their reach at one point. In their last game, they all but made an example of Royal Challengers Bangalore. With some terrific all-round bowling - especially Thangarasu Natarajan’s 11 for 1 from 4 - they restricted Virat Kohli’s side for a mere 120. Despite losing a few wickets on the hunt for their target, they reached it comfortably with more than a quarter of allotted overs to go. As long as they play this brand of cricket, they should be able to go through.

Mumbai Indians Preview & Form

The only team other than the down-and-out Chennai Super Kings to not be involved in the melee over the playoff spots, Mumbai are comfortably ahead of the pack. Nevertheless, they will be looking to close the league stages out with a victory - and get rid of a potentially dangerous opponent. In their last match, they put Delhi Capitals through hell with some stellar bowling. Booking their former point-peers for a pathetic 110 courtesy of Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah, they then proceeded to add insult to injury by finishing the match in style in the 15th over - with 9 wickets in hand. Ishan Kishan starred with a juicy 72. Mumbai might choose to rest some of their important players before the playoffs, or they might choose to fight SRH tooth and nail.

SRH vs MI Predictions

It’s everything or nothing for the Sunrisers. Expect David Warner and Manish Pandey to deliver clutch performances, while Rashid Khan and Thangarasu Natarajan deal with the Mumbai batsmen.

If the Indians field a full strength team, they will be as big a threat to their opponents as this tournament can provide. Expect Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav to strike then hard, while Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah reprise their shenanigans from Saturday’s match.

Can SRH take down the defending champions to pull themselves up? Or will MI take out SRH from their high ground advantage? Find out on Tuesday!