By Chirag - Apr 17, 2025 01:14 PM
As the IPL 2025 season rolls on, the action heats up at the Wankhede Stadium, where Mumbai Indians (MI) take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a high-stakes clash on Thursday, April 17. Both teams have endured a similar campaign so far, managing just two wins from six matches and aiming to turn their fortunes around as the tournament nears its halfway mark.
The Wankhede pitch, known for its batting-friendly nature, promises another run-fest. With explosive batters like Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Heinrich Klaasen, and Travis Head in action, fans can expect a high-scoring affair. However, amid the flurry of boundaries, the role of bowlers becomes even more crucial. Teams will need their strike bowlers to step up, break partnerships, and deliver under pressure.
Here are three bowlers who could emerge as the top wicket-takers in today’s MI vs SRH clash:
Veteran leg-spinner Karn Sharma made an instant impact in his first appearance of the season against Delhi Capitals. He picked up 3/36 in a match-winning spell, removing key players like Abhishek Porel, KL Rahul, and Tristan Stubbs.
Having played at the Wankhede earlier in his career, Karn understands the nuances of the surface. His ability to vary pace and extract turn could be vital against SRH’s aggressive top order. If MI are to slow down the scoring in the middle overs, Karn will have a big role to play.
Jasprit Bumrah’s return has been a silver lining for Mumbai in an otherwise underwhelming season. After sitting out the initial four games due to injury, Bumrah has shown glimpses of form since returning. While he went wicketless against RCB, he was highly economical, and later dismissed Axar Patel in the win over Delhi.
With his pace, pinpoint yorkers, and sharp bouncers, Bumrah is tailor-made for big matches. As he finds his rhythm again, he could be the key to stifling SRH’s dangerous batters, especially in the powerplay and death overs.
For SRH, Harshal Patel has been the standout bowler so far this season. The seasoned pacer picked up a brilliant 4/42 against Punjab Kings, using his trademark slower deliveries and deceptive variations to great effect.
With 8 wickets in 5 matches, Harshal has been SRH’s leading wicket-taker. His experience of bowling on flat surfaces like the Wankhede, coupled with his ability to outsmart batters in the death overs, makes him a vital weapon in SRH’s arsenal.
While the spotlight will naturally fall on the power-hitters in this clash, the contributions of bowlers like Karn Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Harshal Patel could ultimately decide the outcome. In a game where every wicket counts, these three have the potential to make the biggest impact.
Also Read: IPL 2025: Who Could Score the Most Runs in Today's MI vs SRH Match
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