IPL 2018 MI vs KKR: 5 player battles to look out for in Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders

The Mumbai Indians won their previous game against Kings XI Punjab but that is only the start of their run of games that they have to win if they are to make it to the top 4 and today, they come up against Kolkata Knight Riders at home in another must-win game.

Considering their excellent record against KKR, Rohit Sharma would definitely fancy his team’s chances in this game but at the same time, the visitors are also coming off a superb victory against Chennai Super Kings in their previous game.

Both teams are filled with superb players and there are some excellent battles that will be in the offing today. Here is a look at 5 of the most important ones.

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#5 Andre Russell v Mayank Markande

Andre Russell

He is probably the most destructive middle-order batsman in the whole tournament and if he does get going then MI are going to have a very rough afternoon on their hands. Andre Russell is currently averaging 34.50 and striking at an astonishing 202.94, which is why his presence in that KKR lower order can often prove to be match-turning. He can take the game away in a matter of few deliveries and MI should be wary of him.

Although he is without a doubt one of the best power-hitters in the game and can deliver against almost all sorts, leg-spin is something that has troubled him in the past. Hence, his battle with MI’s Mayank Markande could well turn out to be a match-defining one.

The leggie is MI’s joint-highest wicket-taker with 12 scalps and has recorded a strike rate of just under 8 (7.93). His control and variety is going to be a challenge for him and would be vital for MI if they are to stop a vintage onslaught from Russell.

#4 Chris Lynn v Krunal Pandya

Chris Lynn

The Australian may not have been able to totally set the IPL on fire yet with his hitting prowess but Chris Lynn has still been able to score 260 runs in 9 games and remains a vital member of the KKR batting line-up. Although his game against pace bowling is excellent, it is against spin of any kind that he has struggled and this afternoon, MI will almost certainly test him with spin as soon as they possibly can.

A huge challenge for Lynn will lie in facing the left-arm spin of Krunal Pandya and it almost certainly promises to be a contest that might go on to shape how the KKR batting effort unfolds. Pandya has taken 8 wickets so far in 9 games but what is most impressive about his bowling is the fact that he has conceded runs at only 7.16 runs an over with his accurate, crafty left-arm off-spin.

Lynn’s troubles against spin are well known and one would hope that the Australian is going to have plans to negate this threat so that he can launch the KKR innings.

#3 Shubman Gill v Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah

He is one of the hottest young talents in the country and with his half-century in KKR’s previous game, it is almost certain that Shubman Gill will bat at the critical number four position this afternoon against MI. It was an innings that shaped KKR’s chase in the last game and he would like to carry on from where he left off.

His battle with the world’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is going to be one of the most interesting encounters of the evening. The reasons are manifold. First of all, fans would like to see how he copes against a world-class bowler and secondly, the outcome of this particular duel will almost certainly have a huge impact on the KKR batting effort.

The fast bowler has been MI’s best bowler despite not being at his best at some points in the IPL this season. He has taken 10 wickets this season in 9 games and has recorded an economy rate of 6.75, which is up there with the best in the tournament. If Gill can get on top of him when they clash this afternoon then there is every chance that KKR are going to gain a massive advantage in the game.

#2 Suryakumar Yadav v Shivam Mavi

Shivam Mavi

One of the biggest attractions of the IPL is the fact that it often pits some of the exciting young talents in the game against each other and in this afternoon’s game at Wankhede, the battle between MI opener Surya Kumar Yadav and KKR fast bowler Shivam Mavi is going to be an engrossing one.

The MI opening batsman has been in imperious form ever since he was sent up the order and has emerged as MI’s highest run scorer so far with a total of 340 runs so far. He is averaging 37.77 and has made 3 fifties so far in the tournament.

On the other hand, India Under-19 star Mavi has been the best fast bowler in the KKR bowling arsenal and in a fast bowling machinery that has often struggled, he has been the most consistent bowler. He has repeatedly bowled at express pace and has been able to provide some much-needed control to the KKR attack. Mavi has been excellent in the powerplays as well and the opening skirmish between him and Yadav is going to be one of the most important ones in the game this afternoon.

#1 Evin Lewis v Sunil Narine

Evin Lewis

MI opening batsman Evin Lewis has not been able to get the team off to fast starts in his past few games but he remains a dangerous player at the top of the order and KKR would definitely like to see the back of him as early as possible.

Although KKR’s star spinner Sunil Narine bowled after the powerplay in the previous game, there is every chance that he might be asked to have a go at Lewis right from the outset. His record against the left-hander is quite outstanding and hence, this battle could definitely prove to be one that would decide the course of the MI start.

If Lewis gets going and plays for a few over, he can get MI off to a scorching start and that is where Narine comes in. He has bowled 32 deliveries to the batsman and has conceded only 37 runs in those, while at the same time, he got the better of Lewis as many as four times.

So, it will be interesting to see how the MI opener handles him and if he can get on top of Narine early on. This battle has the potential to be a match-defining one.