RR vs MI Live Score, IPL 2024: Can Hardik Pandya’s Mumbai bounce back against table-toppers Rajasthan

KKR, DC, now MI: In IPL’s home-and-away format, will the local pitch manufacturers be able to give the home team enough home advantage?

Delhi Capitals’ Rishabh Pant (centre) inspects the pitch before the start of the 20th match of the Indian Premier League Season 17 (IPL 2024) between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium on April 7, 2024. (VIP Power/SportsPics)

The other night, with Sunrisers Hyderabad on the brink of yet another win away from home, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar pondered in a newsletter whether the second half of the season would be a happy day for the team. This is based on the fact that five of SRH’s remaining seven league matches will be played at home. “Playing at home is always good. You are more familiar with the condition. You can ask the groundskeeper to suggest a pitch that suits you. SRH, if their total score crosses 250 points, they will win,” said Gavaskar.

But can the IPL give home advantage to the teams? Eden Gardens stadium curator Sujan Mukherjee told The Indian Express, “The team has no say on the wicket. This is a clear direction from the BCCI to us.” (read more)