Champions League – Mumbai Indians Are Favorites

Mumbai Indians who finished runners-up in the third edition of Premier League will open their campaign in the second Champions League against Lions at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on Friday (September 10). This group B match will start at 21.00 hours (IST).

Lions led by Alviro Petersen qualified for the Champions League after losing to Warriors in the final of the Standard Bank Pro20 at Port Elizabeth on March 12, 2010. Their road to the final was based on solid team efforts rather than stand-out individual performances. They have only one national player in their captain, Alviro Petersen, which allows for consistency in their line-up. The deceiving medium pace of Robert Frylinck, the speed of Ethan O’ Reilly, the hard-hitting approach of Jean Symes and Vaughn van Jaarsveld and the all-round abilities of Richard Cameron and Shane Burger could help them roar on home soil.

The skipper of Mumbai Indians, Sachin Tendulkar, of course, was the top-scorer in IPL-3, compiling 618 runs at 47.53 and though Dwayne Bravo flopped with bat and ball, Kieron Pollard chipped in with some vital contributions. They were the first team to make it to the final four and with Lasith Malinga, back in roaring form, much will depend on how their batsmen fare in the South African conditions. Will their Indian players tackle the bouncy pitches?

It will be the first Twenty-20 match between the two teams. Mumbai Indians have won 23 and lost three in 43 Twenty-20 matches played so far while Lions have won 18, lost 21 and tied two in 41 Twenty-20 matches played.

PERFORMANCE IN TWENTY-20 CRICKET

Players to watch for Mumbai Indians

 Players to watch from Lions