The Match 21 of VIVO IPL will feature the Kings XI Punjab and the Mumbai Indians. The game will take place at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, home ground of the Kings XI Punjab. The Mohali wicket has not exactly been an ideal batting wicket wth assistance for bowlers. The Highest team total at this venue for this season was achieved by the Gujarat Lions when they were chasing a target of 162 set by the Kings XI.
The Kings XI seem to be only going deeper into their self-made proverbial hole. After losing their fourth game of the season, and sitting at the bottom of the table. The good news is, Australian International Shaun Marsh has been performing well in the last two games and looks to have found his confidence batting at the Number 3 position. Marsh has already scored a fifty this season against the Kolkata Knight Riders and top scored for his team against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in a losing cause.
Match Date and Time: 25 April 2016, 2000 hrs ISTMatch Venue: Punjab Cricket Association Stadium , Mohali.
Weather:
Temperature: Max 34°c, Min 24°cHumidity: Max 19%Wind: 16 km per hour
Pitch Report: Decent batting track, spinners will have a role to play.
In-Depth Analysis:
The Mumbai Indians look like a strong team on paper but they have performed well below expectations so far. They haven’t been able to click as a complete unit yet. The in-form skipper Rohit Sharma scored a brilliant 65 of just 48 deliveries against the Delhi Daredevils before throwing his wicket and the match in the end.
With the start they got, Mumbai Indians should have cruised to the target. Ultimately, losing wickets in quick succession.
Krunal Pandya has been a surprise package this season. He has been exceptional with the ball picking up 4 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of just 6 runs per over and scoring 105 runs in 4 innings with a high score of an unbeaten 49. Pandya has been performing consistently and has gained the trust of the skipper. He will certainly play a huge role against the Kings XI.
Also read: IPL 2016: KXIP vs MI Playing 11- Today's Probable XI for Kings XI Punjab
Jasprit Bumrah has been quiet this season for the Mumbai Indians. After breaking into the International scene, the youngster has been the go-to bowler for the death overs. With his incredible ability of bowling yorkers at will, the Mumbai-born will be hoping he can do just the thing needed for tilting the odds to his team’s side.
Mumbai Indians need someone to step up in the middle overs and finish the innings the way they would like. Ambati Rayudu was doing that role for the Indians in the past but hasn’t quite been at his best this season.
The Mumbai Indians might just give a chance to the 23-year-old Unmukt Chand, who has been in good touch with the bat in the domestic circuit.
A lot will have to change in the Punjab side. Entering the business end of this season, Murali Vijay will have to put his hand up and take the responsibility for providing a good platform for the middle order. He has shown that he can play the big shots as well as the classy cover drives. His presence on the wicket is important for the Kings XI through these tough times.
Kings XI are still lacking a new ball bowler to support the sensational Sandeep Sharma. Mitchell Johnson has looked far from his fiery best and Kyle Abbott hasn’t been any effective. They will have to try a different option and get the right combination which will do them wonders.
Axar Patel will have to be given a few more overs than just the 2 overs he bowled against the Sunrisers. He has proven that he can contain the opposition in the past and also is capable of getting those crucial wickets for his side. Scoring 36 runs in just 17 deliveries, he can sure whack the ball out of the park as well.
This season has been extremely unpredictable as teams who start out as favorites end up losing. Kings XI are a good side and no one can rule them out just yet.
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