Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
A match that has huge implications on the make up of the final four. I can’t wait for this one.
For all of Mumbai Indians‘ disappointment in IPL 2018, they have the opportunity to finish the day just two points outside the top four, with four games remaining. Incredibly, with a 3-6 record, MI have a positive NRR, which is consistent with their performances this season – close to hitting full pelt, but falling short at the final hurdle.
Their win at KXIP though was mighty impressive, restricting a strong batting line up and then winning the crunch moments at the end to nail the chase. MI’s run to the playoffs has a little bit of momentum now, and if they can beat KKR, they’ll really start to believe they can sneak in to the top four.
However, it won’t be easy as Kolkata Knight Riders continue to impress. To brush aside one of the tournament leaders in CSK was awesome, and KKR would have been buoyed by Sunil Narine’s return to bowling form, as well as talented youngster Shubman Gill showing us all just how much he can offer in the top order.
While this is a very important game for MI, it also holds true for KKR. They can pretty much knock MI out of the tournament by pushing six points out in front on the table, which will have MI relying on RR beating KXIP later tonight to remain four points outside the top four with four to play.
This is a high stakes clash, which promises to be a beauty.
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Key to a Mumbai Indians win
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| Can MI go on an amazing run? |
Key to a Kolkata Knight Riders win
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| Shubman Gill was superb at no.4 for KKR against CSK |
Possible teams
Expect MI to stick with the same team that beat KXIP.
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
For KKR, it remains to be seen whether Nitish Rana has recovered from lower back spasms. Another cause for concern is a pace bowling spot – both Mitchell Johnson and Tom Curran have been expensive this season, so how will they pick?
Kolkata Knight Riders XI: 1. Chris Lynn, 2. Sunil Narine, 3. Robin Uthappa, 4. Shubman Gill, 5. Rinku Singh, 6. Dinesh Karthik (c & wk), 7. Andre Russell, 8. Shivam Mavi, 9. Piyush Chawla, 10. Mitchell Johnson, 11. Kuldeep Yadav
Stats and Facts
- Matches: 21, MI 16, KKR 5. This is the first meeting between the two sides in IPL 2018.
- MI have the best record against KKR among all teams. It is the most wins by one side over another (16).
- KKR is Rohit Sharma’s favourite opponent (more runs against them than against any other IPL team), but against Sunil Narine, he has been dismissed five times for 87 runs with a SR of just 104.81.
- KKR have won four out of fives games this season when chasing.
- Sunil Narine is KKR’s leading wicket taker, most economical bowler and has nearly 200 runs to his name in IPL 2018. He is a key player.
