Follow UsMumbai Indians (MI) will take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 56 of IPL 2022. Both sides are reeling in the bottom half of the points table with little to no hope of going beyond the league stage. However, pride will drive both sides to give their best. Kolkata have just suffered their worst game of the season, losing to Lucknow by 75 runs. Mumbai, on the contrary, are on an upward trajectory, with a victory in their last two games.
Player Availability
Umesh Yadav missed the last game due to a calf injury. It is a quick turnout for Kolkata which might keep Umesh on the bench due to less time to recover.
Ground Details and Team Combination
The Dr DY Patil Sports Academy has hosted 15 games so far this season. The average run-rate of 8.4 is the joint lowest among the four venues. The batters here have scored runs at an average of 26.5, while a wicket has fallen every 19 deliveries. The fast bowlers here have a strike rate of 18.6, while the spinners have taken a wicket every 23.6 deliveries.
Yet, those who bowl at the death shouldn’t be missed out as they stand the best chance to be among wickets.
Team Suggestion
The team we've picked has a good mix of world-class batters and bowlers. But remember, while you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms.
Captain Suggestion
Andre Russell muscles the ball hard and this has been his best IPL season with the bat since 2019. He averages 38.9 at a strike-rate of 183.8. In addition, there are games when wickets have poured for Russell, the bowler. He already has 12 wickets at less than 10 balls per wicket. He is the safest choice to lead your fantasy fortunes.
Our Criclytics Player Projection predicts Russell to score 18-26 runs and pick 3-4 wickets in this match
X-Factors
After sitting out six matches in between, Tim David has showcased what Mumbai were missing in their disappointing run of one defeat after the other. It was his sublime hitting at the back end of the innings. Playing two matches since his comeback in the XI, he is yet to get out and has blazed 64 runs off only 30 balls. Considering KKR have a few loose ends with the ball during the death overs, David is well placed to pile on his good form.
Our Criclytics Player Projection predicts David to score 19-29 runs in this match
Tilak Varma has been the silver lining of an otherwise disastrous campaign for Mumbai. He averages 41 this season at a strike-rate of 136.7. His last four scores read 21, 35, 38 and 51* which speaks for his consistency.
Our Criclytics Player Projection predicts Tilak to score 22-34 runs in this match
Here are the top-10 picks as per Criclytics projected points-
Match-Ups
Here is an interesting match-up. Andre Russell has had the better of his good friend, Kieron Pollard in IPL. He has dismissed him twice while conceding only 41 runs in 31 balls. He hits the deck against Pollard to cramp him for room during the death overs which has worked well for him. We expect it to continue considering the battle will be on again during the death overs of Mumba’s innings.
Probable XIs
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Tim David, Daniel Sams, Murugan Ashwin, Kumar Kartikeya, Riley Meredith, Jasprit Bumrah
Kolkata Knight Riders: Aaron Finch, Baba Indrajith (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Tim Southee, Anukul Roy, Shivam Mavi, Harshit Rana
*stats prior to Match 54