KXIP Vs MI Preview : It is always interesting to see the new look, revamped sides playing each other especially in the T20 format. Both the teams KXIP and MI had added a few new entrants which provide them some depth and balance.
Last year has been the indifferent year for Mumbai Indians as they failed to qualify for the knockout stages but on the other hand, KXIP started off in a grand manner by winning 5 of the six matches they played but failed to qualify for the knockout stages due to their collective failure in all departments. Here at Punjab cricket stadium they again lock horns in order to stretch the early lead in the tournament.
Last year the biggest desperation came in the form of Mayank Agarwal for KXIP. Inform batsmen in the domestic circuit then lost his form suddenly in IPL which cost KXIP heavily. But now he is one of the exciting prospects in international cricket and also doing well in domestic tournaments so he is expected to come good which will be a huge boost for KXIP. Mumbai on another hand due to lack of batting depth they failed miserably but this time with the arrival of Quinton Decock, Yuvraj Singh and form of Siddesh lad gives enormous confidence to succeed this time.
Team Statistics
Records stand close as both teams have faced each other in 22 occasions and Mumbai emerged victorious in 12 occasions whereas KXIP gets better with Mumbai in 10 occasions. But at the same time, Mumbai won 4 out of the seven games played at Mohali cricket stadium thanks to the consistent home ground failures of KXIP in past. Shaun Marsh has to lead the batting charts with 526 runs between these two teams and Lasith Malinga leading wickets column with 22 scalps.
What To Expect Between Two Sides
With Mohali pitch traditionally supports pacers quicks from both the sides will have a slight advantage with the new ball. Both the sides have worked on their squads and added few additions which will come in handy for both the sides. Mumbai will look their lower middle order Kieron Pollard, Yuvraj Singh, and Hardik Pandya to fire and the same time they will look their fast bowling quadrant comprising of Burmah and Malinga for early breakthroughs.
KXIP on other side is quite confident that their guns will rose up to the occasion and fire against Mumbai’s strong bowling line-up. Their spinning bowling options are one of the best spin bowling attacks in this edition so they will look to come in handy against Mumbai too.
Players To Watch Out For KXIP (Kings XI Punjab)
KL Rahul
Once considered as the future of the Indian batting line-up across all formats but suddenly faded away due to inconsistent performance KL Rahul will look to use most of the opportunities to regain form especially world cup is on the cards. Highest run getter for KXIP last year KL Rahul will look to replicate the same performance this year also.
Mujeeb ur Rahman
The teenager from Afghanistan is the find of the tournament last year with his stunning performance with the ball. Leggie with stock deliveries in his kitty, the batsmen are finding it difficult to read his line and lengths makes him so special. He has shown his talent all across the globe and looks to replicate the same in this edition of the IPL also.
Players To Watch Out For MI (Mumbai Indians)
Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya’s form is not only crucial for Mumbai Indians but also crucial for team India at their world cup campaign. The seam-bowling all-rounder established himself as one of the mainstays of the Indian batting order is come out of the injury and is raring to go. He will look to find some form with bat and bat in order to book tickets for England
Mayank Markande
The only thing the Mumbai Indians can feel happy with the last edition is the emergence of Mayank Markande. Definitely, he is the find of the tournament and he will look to replicate the same performance which he has done last time. With batsmen finding it difficult to read the wrist spinners these days he can be an asset to Rohit Sharma in middle overs of the game.
Final words–
Having batsmen top fire at the top from both the sides you can expect a high scoring encounter between these two sides.
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