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HomeCricketIPL 34th Match Preview: Kings XI Punjab v Mumbai Indians

IPL 34th Match Preview: Kings XI Punjab v Mumbai Indians

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Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey

KXIP vs MI IPL 2018 Cricket Blog

KXIP, where have you been?

It has felt like an age since Kings XI Punjab played their last game. It has been one week, which is certainly an age in the IPL world. Their return will mark two major opportunities: 1. Rediscover their batting prowess with Chris Gayle likely to return and; 2. Knock out their opponents, one of IPL’s most successful ever teams.

That team is Mumbai Indians, who have been the shock team in IPL 2018 for the wrong reasons. Starting the tournament as defending champions and one of the favourites to take out this year’s title, MI have simply lost the key moments, culminating in such a disappointing defeat to the also under-fire RCB. Their bowlers have held pretty well over the last three matches, but apart from a good chase against CSK, their batting crumbled against SRH and RCB, in two very achievable chases. With their tournament just about on the line, they need to get everything right tonight.

Key to a Kings XI Punjab win

KXIP will be keen to make a good start at their adopted home ground at Indore.
KXIP own the powerplay overs in IPL 2018, the best team in this period with the bat. Up until their last game, KXIP were well above 10 an over in the batting powerplay, the only team in the 
tournament with such a figure. With Chris Gayle set to return, his partnership with KL Rahul will be on show again – their partnerships so far in IPL 2018 read: 96, 53, 116 and 55.
If these two can get going and set things up for a powerful middle order, it could be a long night for MI.
Chris Gayle IPL 2018
What a tournament Chris Gayle has had so far

Key to a Mumbai Indians win

Can I just be quick and say “everything”?
We can say the bowlers have done well in recent times, even keeping in mind the horror last over against RCB. At Indore, MI desperately need to break the Rahul-Gayle partnership early, otherwise they’ll be staring down the barrel. If they can pick up regular wickets, it will hold them in good stead.
Also, the top order has a massive role to play. In their two wins this season, it is no coincidence that the top order has fired, in particular Rohit Sharma. In the two wins, Sharma has scored 94 (v RCB) and 56* (v CSK). In defeats, he has scored 15, 18, 11, 0, 2 and 0. He needs to step up. 
Rohit Sharma IPL 2018
Big onus on Rohit Sharma to perform

Possible teams

Chris Gayle is set to return to give rekindle the amazing partnership he has with KL Rahul. Expect the rest of the line up to remain pretty settled.
Kings XI Punjab XI: 1. Chris Gayle, 2. KL Rahul (wk), 3. Mayank Agarwal, 4. Karun Nair, 5. Aaron Finch, 6. Manoj Tiwary, 7. Ravichandran Ashwin (c), 8. Andrew Tye, 9. Barinder Sran, 10. Ankit Rajpoot, 11. Mujeeb Ur Rahman
As I’ve said a few times in this tournament, MI aren’t too far away from firing, but this is their last chance. They could stick with the same team tonight.
Mumbai Indians XI: 1. Suryakumar Yadav, 2. Evin Lewis, 3. Ishan Kishan (wk), 4. Rohit Sharma (c), 5. JP Duminy, 6. Hardik Pandya, 7. Krunal Pandya, 8. Ben Cutting, 9. Mitchell McClenaghan, 10. Mayank Markande, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Stats and Facts:

  • Head-to-Head: Matches: 20, KXIP 10, MI 10. This is the first meeting between the two sides in IPL 2018.
  • The last time Rohit Sharma played a T20 at Indore, he scored 118 off 43 balls v Sri Lanka.
  • MI and KXIP have had it close over the last three seasons, where each time it has finished 1-1.
  • KXIP have played four games at Indore, winning three.

Prediction

KXIP will be raring to go after a week without action, and look good to beat an MI side on its last legs.
KXIP have the batting to hurt MI’s bowling, and have the bowlers to reign in their batsman. It will be a good night for KXIP, who will win this one and just about end MI’s campaign.
Charbel Coorey
Charbel Cooreyhttps://cricblog.net
Charbel is the owner & founder of cricblog.net, based in Sydney, Australia. He started the website to fulfill his love for the game of cricket. Charbel has been featured on other publications including OP India, Times of India, and The Roar, among others. He is also a keen fantasy sports player. Charbel has also had the privilege of interviewing cricketers on the CricBlog TV YouTube channel, including James Neesham, Rassie van der Dussen, Andrew Tye, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat and Saurabh Netravalkar: https://www.youtube.com/@cricblogtv For any story tips or questions, you can contact Charbel at charbelcoorey@cricblog.net.

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