IPL 2020: SRH vs MI Game Plan – The Rashid Khan Ultimatum

SRH vs MI – The fifty-sixth match of the IPL 2020 tournament between the blockbuster teams, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians, could all be about match-ups and Rashid Khan could be a key figure. We take a look at a key game plan that could play a role in the fifty-sixth game of IPL 2020 […]
 
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IPL 2020: SRH vs MI Game Plan – The Rashid Khan Ultimatum

SRH vs MI – The fifty-sixth match of the IPL 2020 tournament between the blockbuster teams, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians, could all be about match-ups and Rashid Khan could be a key figure. We take a look at a key game plan that could play a role in the fifty-sixth game of IPL 2020 – SRH vs MI.

SRH vs MI Game Plan – Can MI overcome their bugbear?

Rashid Khan, arguably the best T20 spinner in the world at the moment, is in the middle of yet another standout IPL season. With 18 wickets in thirteen matches, he is just behind Yuzvendra Chahal in terms of wickets among spinners and way ahead of the rest of the pack in economy and bowling average.

IPL 2020: SRH vs MI Game Plan – The Rashid Khan Ultimatum

Photo credit: BCCI

The Afghan superstar is largely responsible for Sunrisers Hyderabad doing well in the middle phase of the innings.

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In this season, SRH have the best economy in the middle overs while Mumbai have the best batting RPO (runs per over). Hence, this mini-battle between Rashid Khan and the MI batsmen will be one to watch out for.

IPL 2020: SRH vs MI Game Plan – The Rashid Khan Ultimatum
IPL 2020: SRH vs MI Game Plan – The Rashid Khan Ultimatum

The best batting team in the middle overs (MI) will be up against the best bowling team (SRH).

Rashid Khan has always enjoyed bowling to Mumbai Indians. Of the current 7 other franchises, Rashid’s economy of 4.82 against MI is by far his best against an opposition. The fact that he has only 7 wickets in 7 matches against them is testament to the fact that MI see Rashid as the biggest threat and generally opt to see him out of the attack rather than take him on.

IPL 2020: SRH vs MI Game Plan – The Rashid Khan Ultimatum

Rashid has very frugal returns against MI

Looking at his economy against the four-time title winners, it’s no surprise he has good head-to-head matchups against most of the MI batsmen. Of those to have faced at least 10 deliveries of Rashid Khan in the MI lineup, only Rohit Sharma scores at a decent pace. Two left-handers – Kishan and Krunal – score at better than run-a-ball, but the other five have struggled, none more so than Hardik Pandya.

IPL 2020: SRH vs MI Game Plan – The Rashid Khan Ultimatum

All of the MI batsmen score at less than 7 RPO against Rashid, barring the injured skipper

All throughout the season, Sunrisers’ skipper David Warner has used Rashid Khan to control the game during the middle overs. Of 13 games that he has played, Rashid conceded less than run-a-ball on seven occasions. In fact, Rashid Khan across the entire season has conceded 100 runs less than the average bowler would have. Roughly speaking, he has saved his team 100 runs which is massive in this format.

 

If Mumbai choose to rest their main players and give their fringe players a go today, considering they play the first Qualifier in 2 days, Rashid Khan’s involvement in the outcome of the game could be even bigger. MI’s approach against Rashid Khan in this encounter could very well be the turning point of the game.