Last Updated on 3 weeks by Charbel Coorey

KKR vs MI Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2022 Match 14 | KOL vs MI Dream11 Prediction Today | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians Key Players | Pune Pitch Report

Not for the first time in their history, Mumbai Indians have started a season slowly. They have shown time and time again that they are capable of bouncing back, and will need to do so here in a 10-team league where there is less room for error.

However, MI have the issue of a weaker-looking bowling attack compared to recent seasons. They capitulated against Delhi Capitals and then relied upon Kieron Pollard with the ball in the death overs against the Royals, which highlights where Rohit’s team is currently at. So, they could look at some changes to their lineup today.

But, there are positives to be had with the bat. Ishan Kishan has shown why he is a genuine contender for the Orange Cap this season, while Tilak Varma has looked the goods. But, more is required from Rohit Sharma as well as MI’s middle order batsmen in a time of need.

And they will be tested against a Kolkata Knight Riders attack at the top of its powers. And they will have Pat Cummins available. Umesh Yadav has been magnificent to start the new campaign, with terrific support from Tim Southee and their excellent spin duo. If they can make inroads into MI’s top order, they can ask questions of a middle order that is searching for answers. Indeed, this is KKR’s chance to get another win in the most one-sided head-to-head contest in IPL history, where MI have won 75.8% of the matches.

Possible Playing 11

Pat Cummins has completed his quarantine period and is set to play in this match. So, KKR will boast a specialist seam attack of Cummins, Umesh Yadav and Tim Southee. A tough proposition for the MI batting lineup to cope with.

Kolkata Knight Riders: 1. Venkatesh Iyer, 2. Ajinkya Rahane, 3. Shreyas Iyer (c), 4. Nitish Rana, 5. Sheldon Jackson (wk), 6. Andre Russell, 7. Sunil Narine, 8. Tim Southee, 9. Pat Cummins, 10. Umesh Yadav, 11. Varun Chakravarthy

Basil Thampi is under significant pressure to hold his place after he went for 26 in his single over against the Royals. Mumbai could bring in Jaydev Unadkat in his place. Also, Suryakumar Yadav is a chance of playing.

Mumbai Indians: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Ishan Kishan (wk), 3. Suryakumar Yadav/Anmolpreet Singh, 4. Tilak Varma, 5. Kieron Pollard, 6. Tim David, 7. Daniel Sams, 8. Murugan Ashwin, 9. Tymal Mills, 10. Jaydev Unadkat, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Kolkata Knight Riders:

• Shreyas Iyer has been on the verge of firing, but hasn’t quite so far in IPL 2022 (scores of 20*, 13 and 26). He has struck 359 runs in 14 innings vs MI at an average of 32.64 and strike rate of 117.32.
• However, the KKR captain has a horrid record in T20s at Pune. He has scored just 50 runs in seven matches on this ground at an average of 7.14. He is a much-improved player now, though.
• Venkatesh Iyer is also yet to fire in IPL 2022. He belted 53 at a strike rate of 176.67 in his match against MI in IPL 2021.
• Sunil Narine is conceding just 4.16 runs per over so far in IPL 2022. Also, he enjoys bowling against MI, with 23 wickets in 18 matches at an average of 20.70 and economy rate of 6.69.
• Narine is particularly impressive between overs 12-16 in the IPL (avg. 19.3, econ. 6.1). Interestingly, this is usually the time where Kieron Pollard comes out to bat, and Narine has an excellent record against him in T20s: 75 balls bowled, 84 runs conceded, four dismissals. Also, Narine has dismissed Rohit Sharma nine times in T20s for just 183 runs in 170 deliveries.
• Andre Russell is coming off a magnificent 70* off 31 balls in his last match (vs Punjab). He has struck 183 runs in 10 innings vs Mumbai at an average of 20.33 and strike rate of 144.09. Can he improve on that average? The key will be to get the better of Bumrah (has been dismissed three times for 51 runs vs Jasprit in 40 balls in the IPL).
• Umesh Yadav is having a dream season. He is the current Purple Cap holder with eight scalps. He takes a wicket every 20 deliveries on average vs MI, and has nine wickets in seven matches at Pune.
• Tim Southee has taken five wickets in two matches in IPL 2022. His battle with the MI top order will be crucial.

Mumbai Indians:

• MI needs skipper Rohit Sharma to come to the party. KKR is his favourite opponent, with 899 runs in 23 matches at a superb average of 49.94 and strike rate of 132.60. Also, Rohit has scored 184 runs in six innings on this ground at an average of 46.00 and strike rate of 124.32.
• Ishan Kishan has had an excellent start to IPL 2022, with two half-centuries in a row. He has now scored 690 runs as an IPL opener at an average of 62.73 and strike rate of 154.36. Also, he has a half-century in three matches vs KKR (overall SR of 208.11).
• MI will be hoping Suryakumar Yadav is fit for this clash. He has a strong record vs KKR in the IPL: 8 inns, 285 runs, avg. 40.71, SR 145.41.
• Tilak Varma has made a terrific start to his IPL career. The talented left-hander has struck 83 runs so far at a strike rate of 172.91. He will be key in the middle overs for MI – a period they have struggled in since last season.
• Jasprit Bumrah has taken 15 wickets in 14 matches vs KKR at an average of 28.27 and a higher-than-usual economy rate of 8.27. On this ground, Bumrah has taken nine wickets in eight matches at an economy of just 6.73.
• Tymal Mills is MI’s leading wicket-taker so far this season with four at an average of 15.25 and economy rate of 8.71.

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 29, KKR 7, MI 22.
• Shreyas Iyer has a solid record against Jasprit Bumrah in the IPL. He has struck 57 runs off 40 balls against one of the world’s leading bowlers, and has been dismissed just once.
• Pat Cummins has a great record vs Ishan Kishan in T20s: three dismissals in five deliveries.
• MI is Ajinkya Rahane’s third-most favourite opponent in terms of runs (593) behind DC and RCB. He averages 32.94 against MI at a strike rate of 123.28. Also, Rahane has the fourth-most runs at Pune: 18 inns, 457 runs, avg. 26.88, SR 117.18.
• Kieron Pollard strikes at just 119.30 in 18 innings vs KKR.

Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium Pune Pitch Report and Weather

Teams batting first and second have won four games each on this ground since IPL 2018. The team batting first has won both games in Pune so far in IPL 2022, with an average first innings score of 190.5.

Pacers take 3.8 wickets per innings in IPL matches on this ground, compared to 1.6 for spinners. Another warm and clear evening is forecast in Pune.

Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction

Base team:

• Wicket-keepers: Ishan Kishan
• Batsmen: Tilak Varma, Shreyas Iyer
• All-rounders: Andre Russell
• Bowlers: Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah

Match Prediction

MI have a wonderful record vs KKR, but Kolkata have the bowling and form behind them. KKR to win.