As we all know it has been a treat to watch a T-20 match with strong teams playing against each other. IPL is heading towards yet another interesting match as KKR are set to face Mumbai Indians at Eden Gardens in the season 12 this year.
KKR has managed to reach the playoffs last season despite not putting up a strong performance overall. The team has seen lots of ups and down over the years and are managed to emerge themselves as one of the most consistent teams in the tournament. Post the auction 2018, the team looks more solid and compressed this time. With a lot of exciting players in the line-up, they are expected to come hard against Mumbai Indians this time.
MI, on the other hand, has not got the best season last year as they would like it to be. Team management failed to concentrate on their lower-middle order along with spin bowling which costs them heavily during the last season. Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard’s bad forms added to the team’s misery. The team management has now seemed to have learned lessons, adding few additions in the lower middle order and in their spin bowling, making it a well-balanced side. Led by Rohit Sharma the team is likely to put a strong performance in this match which will increase their chance of sealing the semi-final berth.
Team statistics:
MI has managed to maintain the best head to head record against KKR and boasts of one of the biggest victory rates when it comes to T20 cricket. Out of 23 matches that both the teams have played against each other, Mumbai Indians has managed to seal victory in whopping 18 times. Rohit Sharma the captain of the Mumbai Indians has been the leading the runs scorer with 641 runs and Sunil Narine has got the maximum number of wickets(19) between these two sides.
What to expect between these two sides
With records clearly suggesting in favor of MI, KKR will look to narrow down the defeat by in the game against Mumbai Indians. Overall KKR is a well-balanced side with the right mixture of youth and experience. Their bowling pace bowling unit though is a worry, lacking in experience. They have often conceded runs at crucial junction of the match which has increased the burden of their spin bowlers. Led by Dinesh Karthik, KKR will look to put up a strong performance with both bat and ball which will increase their chance of winning this match.
MI is enjoying the better winning record than any other teams against KKR which is an added advantage while heading towards the match. Led by hitman Rohit Sharma the team is expected to continue the same winning momentum against KKR. With world class bowler Jasprit Bumrah in their ranks and few quality players they have added in the recently concluded auction, the team looks more balanced than in the previous edition. I will look to pull off a victory to continue a winnings momentum in the series.
Players To Watch Out For KKR (Kolkata knight riders)
Dinesh Karthik:
Captain of Kolkata knight riders Dinesh Karthik has found a new life in the name of the finisher in Indian set up. He is a much-improved player now and he is expected to put up a strong performance with the bat in order to seal a victory against might Mumbai Indians. With struggling lower middle order Dinesh Karthik’s performance will be crucial and with his vast experience, he is expected to be at his best in this match.
Chris Lynn:
One of the flamboyant openers of the game Chris Lynn’s performance will matter the most at top order for KKR in order to emerge victoriously. With strong Mumbai bowling line up, Chris Lynn will look to provide a much-needed start for KKR which helps them to post a good total when batting first or chase down a total while chasing.
Players To Watch Out For MI (Mumbai Indians)
Rohit Sharma:
The last couple of seasons have not been great to Rohit Sharma but he looks to consolidate through this year’s performance. One of the best batsmen in modern day cricket he will look to horn his skills prior to the world cup.
Jasprit Bumrah:
India’s leading bowler will look to use this tournament to sharpen his skills prior to the world cup and he is expected to do major damage at both in start and end of the innings.
What to expect:
It is, perhaps, going to be the battle between Mumbai’s batting line up and KKR’s strong bowling line up.
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