Mumbai Indians and Trinidad & Tobago weren’t expected to meet. While Mumbai’s qualification for the penultimate stage seemed an improbable one and T&T needed to avoid a big defeat to secure a place. But, as the destiny had its way, they would be facing each other in the second semifinal of the Champions league Twenty20 at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium here on Saturday.
It was a result of their unexpectedly dominating victories on Wednesday that have pitted them against each other. First, Mumbai chased down a difficult 150-run target against Perth Scorchers in just 13.2 overs to beat Otago Volts in the race to semifinal on Net Run Rate (NRR). Then, later in the day, T&T condemned Chennai Super Kings, one of the strongest teams in the tournament, to probably their worst-ever defeat and finished at the top of the table in Group B. Hence, Mumbai versus T&T.
Having put up such a dominating performance in the previous match, both the teams would be brimming with confidence and looking to reach the final. However, Mumbai’s experience of Indian conditions make them favourites against T&T on Saturday. They have been playing in these conditions for quite a long time now and are the reigning IPl champions.
Mumbai, the defending ClT20 champions, may have struggled so far in this tournament but to expect that they will continue to struggle, can prove to be detrimental to T&T’s chances. Rohit Sharma-led side gave enough proofs of their potential on Wednesday. And it seems they are peaking at the right time.
Coach John Wright, however, demanded a better fielding show from his team. “I want a better fielding performance from my team. We need to improve upon that.”
T&T, on the other hand, are looking up to their bowlers, especially Sunil Narine, to do the trick against a batting heavy Mumbai. Narine is currently the highest wicket-taker in this edition of ClT20 with eight victims. There have been occasional bright performances from their batsmen, including lendl Simmons’ 68 against CSK on Wednesday, but it is their bowlers who have carried the team so far.
“The opposition always looks to play Narine out and not give him a wicket. So, his four overs are very crucial and it puts a lot of pressure on the batting side. They try and take the advantage off the other bowlers and lose wickets in doing so,” T&T coach David Williams said at the pre-match press conference.
But the biggest fears for both the teams, organisers and fans would be the rain. A day before the semifinal, intermittent showers cut short T&T’s practice session and forced Mumbai to call off their practice and remain confined to their hotel.
There is no forecast of rain for Saturday, but in case the rain doesn’t allow the match, T&T will be awarded a place in the final on the basis of more wins in the group stage. While T&T have three wins from four matches, Mumbai have only two.
Interestingly, T&T are the only non-IPl team left in the tournament and would look to spoil their party on Saturday.