Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

KXIP vs MI Preview Dream11. Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians Preview Dream11 Prediction

Co-written by N.S. Shekhawat

A week into IPL 2019, and we have not been short of controversy. KXIP’s skipper Ravi Ashwin was centre of the conversation after his mankad vs RR. Then, a last-ball no-ball was missed as MI snuck home in an absolute thriller vs RCB.

Now, Kings XI Punjab play host to MI in the first of two matches on Saturday. Ravi Ashwin’s men are coming off a tough night at Eden Gardens. Their bowling was poor, and you felt they didn’t have many bowling options, and that was the difference between 180 and 218. Two bowlers were on debut, and the spotlight is now on Ashwin to ensure he doesn’t put too much pressure on the newcomers. Will KXIP get back to winning ways?

Mumbai Indians breathed a huge sigh of relief in Bengaluru. A middle order collapse against RCB raises some possible question marks about the make up of their side. However, their depth shone through, with Hardik Pandya absolutely outstanding in getting MI to a more-than-competitive total. Jasprit Bumrah was then mighty outstanding as he delivered in the crunch moments for his side. Can one of the IPL 2019 favourites make it two wins straight?

Also read: 5 big predictions for IPL 2019

Key to a Kings XI Punjab win

Unfortunately for KXIP, KL Rahul hasn’t fired as yet. He was superb in IPL 2018, and KXIP need him to fire along with the dangerous Chris Gayle if they are to reach their potential. However, there is reason to be optimistic with the “M” factor – Mayank, Miller and Mandeep – each showing good signs in IPL 2019. Can KXIP overcome MI’s experienced bowling attack?

Also, as you know, bowlers win you matches. KXIP got it wrong vs KKR, employing just the five specialist bowlers. Against an experienced MI side, KXIP need success in both the early and death overs, with control in the middle. Will Ashwin see that Tye will be better served for the death against the likes of Pollard and Pandya, with Shami the key up top?

Key to a Mumbai Indians win

MI’s batting was excellent in patches, and poor in others. The key to finding their feet in IPL 2019 is improving as a unit, which can be a huge advantage for them given the depth they have. Hardik Pandya came in at seven vs RCB, and he was dynamic in finishing a stuttering innings well. Here, MI need to set a strong platform, with Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock building on their starts from the last game, followed well by the likes of Yuvraj Singh and Kieron Pollard.

Also, the brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah shone through again. He was outstanding in the crunch moments vs RCB, delivering a win for his side. However, more is needed from Mitchell McClenaghan and Lasith Malinga, both of whom were expensive vs RCB. With Hardik Pandya also expensive, and the spinners miserly, can MI put together a cohesive bowling display against a side that needs big contributions from its openers?

Possible Playing 11

KXIP might guard against too many changes. Moises Henriques is a player who could get a run throughout the season, but he is currently playing the Sheffield Shield Final for New South Wales. Also, they should bring Mujeeb back.

KXIP: 1. Chris Gayle, 2. KL Rahul (wk), 3. Mayank Agarwal, 4. Sarfaraz Khan, 5. David Miller (wk), 6. Mandeep Singh, 7. Andrew Tye, 8. R Ashwin (capt), 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 11. Ankit Rajpoot

Also, MI should stick with the same team that got over the line (no pun intended!) vs RCB.

MI: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Quinton de Kock (wk), 3. Suryakumar Yadav, 4. Yuvraj Singh, 5. Kieron Pollard, 6. Hardik Pandya, 7. Krunal Pandya, 8. Mitchell McClenaghan, 9. Mayank Markande, 10. Jasprit Bumrah, 11. Lasith Malinga

Dream11 Prediction

Key stats and points:

• KL Rahul scored 94 (60) in his last game vs MI. Is he due a big game today?
• Quinton de Kock has threatened to get going in IPL 2019, scoring 27 and 23.
• Rohit Sharma has scored 558 runs in 22 matches vs KXIP at 32.82 (SR 139.85).
• Suryakumar Yadav promised plenty vs RCB. Will he continue on from it? Also, he scored 57 (42) last time out vs KXIP.
• Chris Gayle and David Miller both average over 40 vs MI in IPL.
• Mujeeb ur Rahman has taken 11 wickets in three games at Mohali, with an economy rate of just 6.6.
• Jasprit Bumrah was man of the match last game vs KXIP, taking 3/15.
• Yuvraj Singh strikes at 138.73 vs KXIP, averaging 34.29 against them. Kieron Pollard strikes at 142 with an average of just under 30, but his current form is patchy.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts

• MI have won 80% of their games since 2016 when Rohit Sharma has scored 20+.
• MI currently have 99 wins in IPL. No team has more.
• It is a tight head-to-head record, with MI leading 12-10.

Match Prediction

Looking forward to catching the action in the first Saturday game.

Expect fireworks from two sides possessing talent. However, MI have that extra depth about them, and both N.S. Shekhawat and myself pick MI to win.

Thanks for reading!