IPL 2017 Player Battles: Top 4 player encounters to look for in the Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Lions match

#2 Suresh Raina vs Harbhajan Singh

The off-spinner will be key for the Mumbai Indians in the powerplay

Suresh Raina, the skipper of the Gujarat Lions, has been the most consistent player throughout the nine editions of the tournament. He started the tenth edition with an unbeaten 68 in the opening game against the Kolkata Knight Riders. He has continued his fine performance with the bat since then and is a vital cog in the batting unit for the Lions.

Harbhajan Singh has been the go-to bowler for Rohit Sharma in the powerplay for the 2017 season. The veteran off-spinner, with loads of international experience, is assigned the job to strangle the opposition during the field restrictions and ensure they do not get off to a flying start.

Raina likes the ball coming on to the bat as it enables him to use the pace of the bowler and score runs. The Mumbai Indians would be wary of this fact and would look to unleash Harbhajan Singh, their main weapon against the left-handers, early in his innings. Although Raina is a good player of spin, he has a tendency to poke at deliveries outside the off stump and with the Wankhede surface offering a hint of turn, the off-spinner will be a potent weapon.