Going into their final game of the group stage, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders occupy the top two spots in the table but everything is far from rosy for both sides. MI need a win to assure them of top spot while KKR know that anything barring a massive defeat should send them through to the playoffs.
MI’s season has been built on their incredibly strong batting line-up that has come to their rescue on numerous occasions. But as it was evident in the last game, even that can’t help them win every game. The loss of Krunal Pandya to injury has been a big blow for MI as it has robbed them of the flexibility in the middle-order. While Karn Sharma has been amongst the wickets, he has gone for plenty as well and hasn’t afforded the control that Krunal provided. Rohit's form is a concern as well but the fact that the game is in Kolkata should hopefully bring him back to form.
Extra Cover: IPL 2017, KKR vs MI: Kolkata Knight Riders(KKR) probable playing 11 against Mumbai Indians(MI), Match 54
As far as KKR are concerned, they face the outside possibility of not making it to the playoffs on the back of their poor recent run of form, where they just haven’t managed to get over the line. Their top-order has been in stunning form but their all-rounders haven’t made the impact that the management might have hoped for. The change in nature of the track at Eden Gardens has meant that the spinners haven’t been as effective in IPL 2017.
With both sides boasting of a batting line-up in good form, Eden Gardens, which has provided something for the pacers so far this season looks set to witness an intriguing clash between two evenly matched sides who need the victory for very different reasons.
Match date: 13-04-2017Match time: 2000 hours (IST)Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
If Kolkata Knight Riders bat first
Predicted score: 165+
The way that Chris Lynn has been hitting the ball since his return from shoulder injury makes one question if he was injured at all. Sunil Narina continues to provide fast starts and although he might not open in the next game, the West Indian has repaid the faith shown in him.
Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gambhir may no longer be opening the innings but they have continued to be among the runs for KKR. Manish Pandey had a sensational start to IPL 2017 that earned him a call-up to the Indian side for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.
Yusuf Pathan has had a tournament to forget so far and while Colin de Grandhomme has scored a few runs, he hasn’t made the impact that KKR would have wanted him to make, in the absence of Andre Russell and Chris Woakes has been batting too low to make any impact with the bat.
In the bowling department, although Narine hasn’t been amongst the wickets, they haven’t had much to worry as the pacers have stepped up their game. Umesh Yadav, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Chris Woakes have all been amongst the wickets and ensured that the relaid Eden track works in their advantage.
In Lasith Malinga, Mitchell McClenaghan and Jasprit Bumrah, MI have one of the best death bowling attacks in the competition and given the lack of form of MI’s lower middle-order, they might have to get their runs early in the innings or risk not having enough on the board for their bowling attack.
If Mumbai Indians bat first
Predicted score: 170+
After a strong start, MI haven’t been as convincing of late. Yet, they have ticked a lot of boxes so far this season. Both their opening combinations (Parthiv Patel and Jos Buttler, Parthiv Patel and Lendl Simmons) have been successful while the rest of the batsmen have contributed when necessary.
Nitish Rana got off to a great start in IPL 2017 but has been firing on all cylinders lately. Rohit Sharma has been surprisingly troubled by leg spinners, but even that shouldn’t be a hindrance as he will play in his favorite ground in India, Eden Gardens, where he has been simply sensational.
Kieron Pollard hasn’t had much to do with the ball but with the bat, shown that he is still as explosive as he was when he first broke onto the scene and is one of the best fielders as well. Hardik Pandya has been used sparingly but has shown his importance to the side as well.
The platform set by the openers will be crucial against KKR and while the batting depth is always on show, MI need a strong to put the home side under pressure and will need Rohit to bounce back from his slump as well.
Sunil Narine may not be among the wickets as he was in earlier seasons but his role has changed in the KKR side. With an in-form pace duo of Chris Woakes and Umesh Yadav, KKR have the bowling strength and variety to contain MI’s strong batting line-up.
Predicted winners: Mumbai Indians
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