Last time the the two teams met at the 2018 Asian Games, India beat Pakistan 3-2 to win the bronze medal play-off in Jakarta. It was in continuation of India's recent domination in the fixture.
The Dynamos were coming into Saturday's match after a 1-2 defeat against ATK at home while Kerala were unbeaten in their two games so far having won one and drawn the other.
Dhoni's form is indeed a cause of concern for everyone. He was far from his best in the Asia Cup, scoring 77 runs in four innings with an average of 19.25 and a strike rate of 62.09.
The 20-year-old was picked for the first two matches after his stellar form in the just concluded two-match Test series, which India won 2-0. In the series, he scored identical scores of 92 at Rajkot and Hyderabad.
A maiden goal in Mumbai colours for Sougou (25th minute) and a penalty from Bastos (45th) sealed Mumbai's 2-0 win, their first at home in four attempts in the Maharashtra derby.
Nehwal defeated Nozomi Okuhara of Japan 17-21, 21-16, 21-12, while Srikanth survived a pulsating three-game 22-20, 19-21, 23-21 match against compatriot Sameer Verma.
Despite carrying a heavy historical baggage, India have dominated the rivalry in recent past, winning eight of nine previous meetings. The only blot was a 2-2 draw at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April.
A tie-break is normally played to decide the set when the score reaches 6-6. However, until now the US Open has been the only Grand Slam that uses a tie-break in the fifth set.
With the firepower they possess, Mumbai should not be missing the services of Rohit Sharma, who played the quarterfinals and semifinals before joining the India ODI squad ahead of the West Indies series beginning on Sunday at Guwahati.
With a loss and a draw in the first two outings, a struggling Mumbai will be eyeing to record their first win against Pune in four meetings when the two local rivals meet at Mumbai Football Arena.
This was Srikanth's second win over the two-time Olympic gold medallist and five-time world champion. The Indian shuttler had famously beat Dan to win the 2014 China Open.
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