IPL 2018, KXIP vs MI: 5 player battles to look forward to

The defending champions are now staring at an exit in this year’s IPL and if they lose tonight against the Kings XI Punjab at Indore, then MI’s fate would be sealed. On the other hand, Ravichandran Ashwin’s team have played superbly so far, winning 5 out of 7 games, and would like to carry on their good work after coming back from a relatively long break.

KXIP’s star opener Chris Gayle should also be back after a layoff and that poses another headache for the MI thinktank. MI need to be at their very best from now on and that is why this game has all the makings of a classic. Ultimately, the game will be decided by some of the individual battles that will take place tonight and here is a look at 5 of the most important ones.

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#5 Ravichandran Ashwin v Ishan Kishan

The MI wicketkeeper-batsman has been an excellent addition to the top order and his enterprising hitting at number 3 has been one of the big positives for the team. That being said, he has not been able to score big runs yet and an average of 21.57 is perhaps not a true reflection of his talent. He is striking at 139.81 and that is the 2nd highest strike rate among MI players (minimum 70 balls faced).

With Evin Lewis a doubt for the game, Kishan would need to do the job of the top order dasher and his duel against KXIP captain Ravichandran Ashwin is going to be a fascinating watch. The ‘new’ Ashwin, the one who nowadays slips in the conventional leg-break is a different kettle of fish and his economy rate of 8 an over in 7 games is ample proof that he is a much-improved bowler in T20 cricket. Kishan has not often been too comfortable hitting against spin so far and that is why this battle promises to be such an exciting one. It is a pivotal duel and one that could decide MI’s fortunes.

#4 KL Rahul v Mitchell McClenaghan

Mitchell McClenaghan

KL Rahul started off the tournament in a canter and after 7 games remains KXIP’s highest scorer with a tally of 268 runs. He is averaging 38.28 and striking at a rate of 170.70, which is why his opening skirmish with the MI bowlers is going to set the tone for the KXIP batting effort.

One of the most volatile battles that will take place today is the one between the Indian batsman and MI’s Mitchell McClenaghan. Although he went for big runs in the last over in MI’s previous game, he provides the bowling attack with much-needed control. McClenaghan has bowled to the right-hander 25 times and been hit for as many as 42 runs, but at the same time, he has also claimed Rahul's wicket twice. So, it would be interesting to see which way this goes. Will Rahul perish after hitting a few?

#3 Ankit Rajpoot v Suryakumar Yadav

Ankit Rajpoot

The KXIP introduced fast bowler Ankit Rajpoot into their playing XI three games ago and his inclusion has already proven to be a masterstroke. In three games so far, he has picked up 7 wickets at an outstanding economy rate of 6.27 and in his last game, he picked up 5-14 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

He can bowl with serious pace and can extract bounce from most surfaces due to his height, which is why his opening spell is going to be crucial for KXIP.

However, his battle with MI’s opening batsman Suryakumar Yadav will be fascinating to watch. The right-handed batsman is excellent against pace and not averse to playing the hook shot, which makes it a battle in which both will be unwilling to give an inch. If MI are to put up a big total tonight, then Yadav must do well and it his battle with Rajpoot that will have a huge bearing on that.

#2 Mujeeb Ur Rahman v Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma

The young Afghan spinner has turned out to be one of the most inspired acquisitions in the IPL auction this year and so far, Mujeeb Ur Rahman has emerged as KXIP’s best bowler in the tournament. He has played in all the 7 games and picked up 7 wickets, however, what is perhaps more important is that he has only given away runs at 6.51 an over so far.

Mujeeb is a difficult bowler to hit and his battle against the MI captain Rohit Sharma promises to be an absorbing one. The Indian batsman has blown hot and cold in this season of the IPL. For instance, after scoring an unbeaten 56 against Chennai Super Kings in a winning cause, he followed it up with a duck in his previous game and perhaps now is the time for him to deliver consistently, as MI embark on a run of games they have to win.

It starts tonight against KXIP and Rohit’s vulnerability against leg-spin is going to be tested by Mujeeb.

#1 Chris Gayle v Jasprit Bumrah

Chris Gayle

The big Jamaican has been one of the most punishing batsmen in the history of the IPL and Chris Gayle’s numbers so far this season make for grim reading for his opponents. He is averaging 126 in 4 games and striking at 161.53 at the top of the order. In addition to that, he will be playing at the traditionally batsman-friendly ground at Indore and that makes the task facing MI in tonight’s game even more daunting.

If he gets going then there is every chance that the game would slip away from MI fairly quickly and hence, they would want their star bowler Jasprit Bumrah to get the better of the left-hander tonight. The right-arm fast bowler might not have been at his very best but even then he has been one of MI’s best bowlers and has recorded an economy rate of only 7 an over. Additionally, he has taken 9 wickets and MI captain Rohit Sharma will want him to add Gayle to that tally of wickets. This is the battle that may well decide tonight’s game.

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