Last Updated on 4 weeks by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2020 Match 32: MI vs KKR Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | MI vs KKR Dream11 Prediction Today | Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report

If Kolkata Knight Riders had the choice of avoiding a team when they are trying to bounce back after a loss, it would be Mumbai Indians. The MI-KKR head-to-head battle is the most one-sided out of all IPL clashes, with MI leading 20-6 against the two-time IPL champions.

So, how can KKR stop the rot at Abu Dhabi – a ground where MI have been so strong in IPL 2020? Do they bring back Sunil Narine, who helped pull of a heist vs KXIP at this ground before being reported for a suspect action? What do they do about Rahul Tripathi, who has impressed as an opener? Can Pat Cummins, who is now wicketless in four games, discover his mojo and justify the price tag? At the moment, there seems to be more questions than answers for KKR, and they must get it right today to cement their top four spot.

MI are looking good. In fact, there is an argument to say that they are looking even better than last season, where they went on to win their fourth IPL Title. In each game, they have had different batsmen step up, highlighting their remarkable depth. With the ball, each of their seamers have been in the wickets, with Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah and James Pattinson all in the top 10 wicket-takers for the tournament. They come into this game off the back of a successful chase against the Delhi Capitals’ quality attack, and start the match as favourites. However, it will be key that they avoid any complacency in their quest for a fifth straight win.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Rohit Sharma loves playing KKR. He hit 80 (54) vs KKR earlier this season, part of 788 runs against them at an average of 52.53. In fact, the next-highest run-scorer in MI-KKR matches is Suryakumar Yadav with 357.
• Yadav has been in superb touch. He hit 47 (28) vs KKR earlier in IPL 2020. Also, he has hit two consecutive unbeaten half-centuries, and has an excellent record for MI when playing KKR: 5 matches, 214 runs, avg. 53.50, SR 152.86.
• Quinton de Kock has struck form after a lean start to IPL 2020 (67, 23 and 53 in his last three knocks). Is this the day where he improves on his record vs KKR? (8 inns, 92 runs, avg. 11.50, SR 110.84).
• Shubman Gill will be key for KKR at the top of the order. He has been consistent in IPL 2020, with five 25+ scores in his last six innings, including two fifties, after his score of 7 vs MI earlier this season. Can he bounce back against them today?
• Who opens with Gill is a key question. Rahul Tripathi scored 81 vs CSK at Abu Dhabi, and has looked in decent touch. However, his record vs MI is poor (5 inns, 58 runs, avg. 11.60).
• But, Tripathi prefers opening. He averages 32.8 as opener, with five IPL fifties. When not opening, he averages only 18.4 with no half-centuries.
• Dinesh Karthik struck 58 (29) in his last game at Abu Dhabi (vs KXIP). However, MI’s death bowling is stronger, which will test Karthik and the KKR middle order. So, can he deliver against a side whom he has a moderate record against? (20 inns, 326 runs, avg. 23.29, SR 130.92).
• Hardik Pandya is still searching for his best form. He could find it today, as he meets a team he has a fine batting record against (8 inns, 263 runs, avg. 65.75, SR 196.27). Of course, many won’t ever forget his 91 (34) vs KKR last season, although KKR have a different look about them this time around.
• Although Kieron Pollard (16 inns, 246 runs, avg. 27.33, SR 120) and Andre Russell (8 inns, 162 runs, avg. 23.14, SR 157.28) have modest records in MI-KKR matches, both are key players to watch.
• Pollard is striking at 189.13 in IPL 2020, with just one dismissal so far (174 runs). Russell smashed 80* (40) vs MI last season, and has been good with the ball in 2020, particularly at the death (overall SR of 14).
• Sunil Narine has the most wickets in KKR-MI matches (22 in 17 matches). However, the question is whether he will play. If he does, will he bowl with confidence?
• Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult both have 11 wickets in IPL 2020. Bumrah has been superb at Abu Dhabi since the opening game vs CSK (2/32, 2/18, 4/20, 0/26).
• Shivam Mavi bowled well vs MI earlier this season (2/32).

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 26, MI 20, KKR 6.
• Mumbai Indians have won 10 of the past 11 matches against Kolkata Knight Riders.
• Eoin Morgan has hit a wall after some good form earlier this season (7, 24 and 8 in his past three innings).
• Rahul Chahar enjoys bowling at Abu Dhabi. His figures on this ground this season: 1/36, 2/26, 2/26, 1/24, 0/27.
• Chahar, Bumrah, Boult and Pattinson all took two wickets vs KKR earlier this season.
• Shubman Gill averages 61.7 in KKR wins in IPL 2020. In those wins, Pat Cummins has a powerplay economy rate of 5.2. But, Cummins’ economy rate is 9.2 in the powerplay overs of matches KKR lose. So, if MI can get on top of Cummins early, it will set the tone nicely.
• Incredibly, MI have made just one team change all season (Ishan Kishan for Saurabh Tiwary).

Possible Playing 11

Mumbai Indians look so settled and apart from injuries, they should stick with the same XI again.

Mumbai Indians: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Quinton de Kock (wk), 3. Suryakumar Yadav, 4. Ishan Kishan, 5. Hardik Pandya, 6. Kieron Pollard, 7. Krunal Pandya, 8. Trent Boult, 9. James Pattinson, 10. Rahul Chahar, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Kolkata Knight Riders could look to bring in Lockie Ferguson to deal with MI’s superb finishing. The likes of Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya enjoy the ball pitched up, so Ferguson’s hit-the-deck style could work well.

Kolkata Knight Riders: 1. Shubman Gill, 2. Rahul Tripathi, 3. Nitish Rana, 4. Eoin Morgan, 5. Dinesh Karthik (c & wk), 6. Andre Russell, 7. Pat Cummins, 8. Lockie Ferguson/Sunil Narine, 9. Kamlesh Nagarkoti/Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Prasidh Krishna 11. Varun Chakravarthy

Abu Dhabi Pitch and Weather Report

Mumbai Indians have won four straight matches at this ground, including a 47-run vs KKR earlier this year. Most recently, they successfully chased 160+ vs the Capitals, which was an impressive effort on a pitch that is beginning to slow down. Teams batting first have enjoyed the most success in IPL 2020, so a score in the region of 170 can be a tough chase on a pitch that is expected to be a little slower.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 2 (if Tripathi opens):

Match Prediction

Mumbai Indians have a magnificent record vs Kolkata Knight Riders, and there is very little to suggest that this will change here. A lot will depend on how well KKR’s bowlers can limit MI’s powerful lineup, and whether KKR’s own big-hitters can outplay MI. However, MI are deservedly favourites, and look good for a win.

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