Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2019: MI vs KXIP Preview Dream11 Prediction. Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab Preview Dream11 Prediction.

Preview co-written by N.S. Shekhawat

Two-and-a-half weeks into IPL 2019, and things are starting to take shape. The tight table rewards victories, and makes losses all the more damaging. So, plenty is at stake in the 24th match of IPL 2019.

Mumbai Indians are now back on track after a slow start, which included a defeat to today’s opponents. Their bowling is emerging as a huge threat, brushing aside IPL 2019 contenders CSK and SRH in the last two games. They get the advantage of their home ground, with a blue-filled stadium and Alzarri Joseph in fine touch. However, Rohit Sharma is in doubt with a thigh injury, which MI will hope is minor enough for him to play. He is crucial to the cause with Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard showing their capabilities. Will MI get some revenge over KXIP to leapfrog them into third?

Kings XI Punjab have been one of the surprise packets so far. They have played well, finding good balance as a team. Ravi Ashwin has been doing well both as a bowler and captain. KL Rahul has hit form with three fifties in his past four games. Chris Gayle is a danger man at the Wankhede, which could have us primed for a Gayle special. Will KXIP pick up a big result and leapfrog KKR into second spot?

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Key to a MI win

If teams in IPL 2019 started their innings five down, MI would be top of the league. Their middle-lower order has been outstanding, with Hardik Pandya helping beat RCB and CSK, and Kieron Pollard delivering to help beat SRH. However, MI’s struggles up until the death overs is something they must rectify. Rohit Sharma (if fit) and Quinton de Kock will be key in delivering a good start. Ishan Kishan didn’t deliver in his first game, but he has plenty of potential. In addition, can Suryakumar Yadav build on the starts he has been making? In the game against KXIP a week-and-a-half ago, MI made a strong start, stuttered in the middle overs, and then finished well. However, the total was not enough, so can they finally put together a complete batting performance?

Also, can MI get the better of the KXIP openers, given they were able to break the strong SRH opening partnership early last game? The pace-trio of Jason Behrendhorff, Jasprit Bumrah and last-game hero Alzarri Joseph are a dangerous prospect, and will be key in making inroads. Rahul Chahar has shown promise, and Hardik Pandya is finding his feet with the ball. Will MI get the better of KL Rahul and Chris Gayle, and then maintain the pressure on KXIP’s middle order, as they were able to do vs CSK and SRH?

Key to a KXIP win

KXIP have chased well in IPL 2019, so they would like the opportunity to do so again. However, regardless of this, KXIP’s top order need to overcome MI’s pace bowlers. KL Rahul, Chris Gayle and Mayank Agarwal were superb last time out vs MI, but the challenge will be greater this time around with Joseph and Behrendhorff on board. With the ‘M’ factor (Mayank, Mandeep and Miller) all capable, they and Sarfaraz Khan will also be key in getting to a good total.

Also, can KXIP’s bowlers cause more issues for MI’s top order? Mohammed Shami can be the key weapon that gets KXIP into the MI middle order, especially considering MI have been inconsistent with the bat. The key for R Ashwin’s team will be to build pressure on MI in the middle overs. However, the challenge will be finishing well against Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard, who are powerful hitters. Stage set for Mujeeb ur Rahman?

Possible Playing 11

Rohit Sharma is in doubt after apparently picking up a thigh injury in training. If this is the case, Ishan Kishan could move to opener, with Yuvraj Singh returning to the middle order. Also, Lasith Malinga is available for this game. However, Alzarri Joseph is coming off the best ever IPL figures and Jason Behrendhorff has been excellent. Malinga might have to wait his chance to get back in the team.

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

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KXIP could stick with the same team, depending on whether they persist with David Miller.

KXIP: 1. KL Rahul (wk), 2. Chris Gayle, 3. Mayank Agarwal, 4. Sarfaraz Khan, 5. David Miller/Moises Henriques, 6. Mandeep Singh, 7. Sam Curran, 8. Ravichandran Ashwin (c), 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Mujeeb ur Rahaman, 11. Ankit Rajpoot

Dream11 Prediction

Keen for a different opinion? Check out some more key fantasy tips and picks here!

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 23, MI 12, KXIP 11.
• At the Wankhede Stadium, both sides have won four games. It is a very tight head-to-head record.
• MI have won six of the last eight matches when they have batted first. One loss was vs KXIP earlier this season.

Match Prediction

As the head-to-head suggests, we are set for a quality clash.

Both sides are in good touch, and have things going for them. MI’s bowling attack is looking in good touch, but much rests on the availability of skipper Rohit Sharma, who has led well. If he is out, can MI hold things together and get a win? With the depth in their side, I think so.

Thanks for reading!

Preview co-written by N.S. Shekhawat