MI vs KKR over the years has been a one-sided affair with Mumbai Indians enjoying a lot of success over the Knight Riders. Mumbai Indians have won just one game out of their first three games while the Kolkata Knight Riders have won two games and have been the losing side on two occasions.
The host, MI defeated Delhi Capitals in their own backyard in their last match. MI lost their opening two games against arch-rivals Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings. The team found it difficult to score runs in their previous encounters with skipper, Rohit Sharma struggling at the top. Sharma found his touch against the Delhi Capitals as he was at his best when he scored 65 runs off 45 balls. Tilak Varma has been a tremendous positive for the five-time champions this season. 34-year-old, Piyush Chawla has turned in great bowling figures. In the game when Delhi Capitals scored 172 runs the leg spinner took three wickets and went for just 22 runs in his four overs.
KKR lost their previous game against SRH on the 14th of April. The Eden Gardens team has struggled to find decent line and lengths and their bowlers have gone for plenty of runs in their four games. Their bowlers reduced RCB to 123 runs while in the other three games, their bowlers went for more than at least 190 runs. It has taken miraculous efforts from the KKR batters to even win the two games they have won. Against RCB in Eden Gardens, they were reduced to 89 with 5 wickets and it was Shardul Thakur’s knock of 68 runs in 29 which saved them. Against Gujarat Titanst in the Narendra Modi Stadium, they were out of the game and required 28 runs in the last five balls to win the game. Rinku Singh came to the rescue and smash GT pacer, Yash Dayal for 5 consecutive sixes. In their previous game against the SRH, it was yet another poor outing from the KKR bowlers as they went 228 runs and this time despite efforts from skipper Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh they lost the game by 23 runs.
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MI vs KKR, Match Details
Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Match 22, IPL 2023
Venue:
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Date and Time:
Sunday, April 16, 3:30 PM
MI vs KKR Pitch Report
The pitch at Wankhede Stadium has supported pacers more often than the spinners. But in their last game at this venue, it was CSK’s spinner who unleashed their wrath on the MI batters. Star all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja took 3 wickets in 4 overs while going for just 20 runs. Batters found it difficult to get going on this pitch, it was just Ajinkya Rahane who scored at a high pace and ended up scoring 61 runs in just 27 balls.
MI vs KKR Probable Playing XIs
Mumbai Indians (MI)
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Rohit Sharma (C), Ishan Kishan, Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera, Hrithik Shokeen, Riley Meredith, Arshad Khan, Piyush Chawla, Jason Behrendorff
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Jason Roy, N Jagadeesan, Nitish Rana (C), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Suyash Sharma, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakaravarthy
MI vs KKR Probable Best Performers
Probable Best Batters
Rohit Sharma:
The MI skipper has found his touch once again after a long gap in the IPL. In his previous game against the Delhi Capitals, Rohit Sharma scored 65 runs in just 45 and won the Player of the Match. The Mumbai opener will look to continue his form at their home venue.
Probable Best Bowlers:
Sunil Narine:
The mystery West-Indian spinner could get some wickets if they are served a similar pitch to the previous game. Sunil Narine even though has been a great bowler for the KKR in this year’s campaign has struggled to get his name into the wickets column.
Match Prediction: Kolkata Knight Riders to win the match
Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.
-IANS
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