Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

KKR vs MI Preview Dream11. Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians Preview Dream11 Prediction

Preview co-written by N.S. Shekhawat

It is truly now or never.

Kolkata Knight Riders started IPL 2019 so well. They have now lost six consecutive matches, and are completely out of form. Dinesh Karthik’s men have to dig deep to find something as their season is on the line. Their bowling has been a disappointment, and you have to think long and hard as to who has impressed. Expectations were high on Sunil Narine, Piyush Chawla and Kuldeep Yadav, but they have not been able to click as a unit. The batting is heavily reliant on Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell, so a full team effort is needed. Will Karthik build on his fine 97* last game by promoting himself up the order?

Mumbai Indians can now start dreaming of a top two finish. However, the big challenge today will be how well they back up off a short turnaround. They lost to RR last Saturday, less than 48 hours after they beat DC. Now, they will play 48 hours after a fine win vs CSK at Chepauk. Rohit Sharma’s 67 would have been of relief to he and MI, given his start-filled IPL 2019. Although he hasn’t quite fired this season, MI can take hope in Rohit’s incredible record in Kolkata. Can MI get a win to go top of the table?

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Key to a KKR win

As mentioned, the batting is heavily dependent on Andre Russell. With KKR’s season now on the line, they would be wise to promote him a little higher up the order to get the most out of him. With Dinesh Karthik hitting some form, his contribution at no. 4 will be crucial, along with the top three of KKR that continues to remain inconsistent. Nitish Rana has to improve on his starts, and if Chris Lynn is persisted with, he needs to bludgeon the attack like he did when he burst onto the T20 scene.

Also, the bowling paints a miserable picture. However, their bowlers began well vs RR, building some pressure early before letting it slip at the death. CSK’s spinners helped put a lid on MI’s scoring last game, so KKR would well advised to bowl spin in the powerplay, with Sunil Narine a danger man against Quinton de Kock in particular. Piyush Chawla, who was excellent last game, might be the answer early against Rohit Sharma. Can KKR start well and then slow MI down further in the middle overs? Then, can they get the better of Hardik Pandya at the death?

Key to a MI win

Rohit Sharma, with a fine record at Eden Gardens, will be a key man for MI today. He was excellent at Chepauk, setting MI up with 67 on a challenging pitch. Quinton de Kock will also be key, and he could enjoy conditions that offers a little more pace. With Evin Lewis to follow, MI can aim for a fast start, to be maintained by Kieron Pollard who has a case to bat at four. Regardless of whether Pollard does bat there, MI need to avoid losing quick wickets in the middle overs, so they can gather momentum ahead of the death period where Hardik Pandya comes into his own.

Also, MI’s bowling attack is looking slick. They are working as a unit, highlighted by various bowlers chipping in vs CSK. Jasprit Bumrah was superb for his 2/10, and so too Lasith Malinga who took 4/37. Sure, he went for a few more runs, but his wicket taking ability is something MI will be looking forward to again. However, can the likes of Rahul Chahar find success on a challenging ground for bowlers? Also, can the Pandya brothers provide five or six high quality overs? With KKR’s batting up-and-down in recent times, MI have an opportunity.

Possible Playing 11

Lockie Ferguson or Matt Kelly could come in for KKR.

KKR: 1. Chris Lynn, 2. Sunil Narine, 3. Shubman Gill, 4. Dinesh Kartik (c & wk), 5. Nitish Rana, 6. Andre Russell, 7. Rinku Singh, 8. Carlos Brathwaite/Lockie Ferguson/Matt Kelly, 9. Piyush Chawla, 10. Kuldeep Yadav, 11. Prasidh Krishna

Also read: 4 key benefits of batting inners for cricketers!

Will MI leave Evin Lewis out for Jason Behrendhorff to play in place of Anukul Roy?

MI: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Rohit Sharma (c), 3. Evin Lewis/Ishan Kishan, 4. Suryakumar Yadav, 5. Kieron Pollard, 6. Hardik Pandya, 7. Krunal Pandya, 8. Anukul Roy/Jason Behrendhorff, 9. Rahul Chahar, 10. Lasith Malinga, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Dream11 Prediction

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Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 23, KKR 5, MI 18.
• MI have won the last eight games between the two teams.
• If MI win this game, they will move to top of the IPL 2019 table.

Match Prediction

IPL 2019 has sprung many surprises. KKR need to spring an upset today, given their poor form and record against MI. However, MI, even after a short turnaround, might have too much in the locker.

MI to win.

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Thanks for reading!