Follow UsMumbai Indians versus Kolkata Knight Riders is one of the most one-sided rivalries in IPL. Mumbai have beaten Kolkata 22 times in 30 IPL games. It is the most number of wins for one side against another. Kolkata, however, pulled one back in their last meeting. In Match 14, they thumped Mumbai by five wickets.
The value of these past events is diluted by the current reality. Both the teams are reeling at the lower end of the points table. Mumbai are out of the playoff race, while Kolkata's chances of going beyond the league stage hang by only mathematical possibilities. In grim times, they are only looking to lift themselves to see light towards the end of the tunnel.
Mumbai have somehow picked themselves up, winning two games on a trot. Kolkata, after a good start, are sinking deeper. They have won only once in their last seven games. Their last defeat was their worst match of the season where they went down by 75 runs. Coming back from that will take some effort.
Kolkata's constant chopping and changing
Change is the only constant. The Kolkata management took these words too seriously, making 17 changes in their 11 games thus far. There have been only two matches when they have not changed their side. Their rate of 1.6 changes every game is the highest in this 10-team tournament.
As a result, none of the loose ends in their squad construction post the auction have been fixed, be it the position of openers, the wicketkeeper or the second Indian pacer.
They have tried five opening pairs but average only 13.1 runs per opening stand, the lowest in the tournament. In addition, they also average the lowest against short-pitched deliveries and balls bowled in excess of 135 kph.
The bowling loopholes have also cost them many games at the back end of the innings.
The Tim David quick fix to Mumbai's batting
The inclusion of Tim David seem to have fixed Mumbai’s batting order. Given the absence of the Pandya brothers from the squad and Kieron Pollard’s poor form, his inclusion was a necessary change that Mumbai took too long to execute.
David has given a firm reminder of what they were missing. In two games since his comeback, the right-hander has blazed 64 runs off only 30 balls without getting out. Alongside covering for Pollard’s poor form, the move has also pushed Suryakumar Yadav up to his optimal batting position at three.
The only thing they are missing is a big knock from one of their openers to usher the innings. Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan have both shown glimpses of their form without carrying on to play a substantial knock. But overall, David’s inclusion has provided Mumbai hope amidst a phase of dark clouds.
The contest
Andre Russell vs Jasprit Bumrah (49 balls, 66 runs, 3 dismissals in IPL)
Russell has been the one-man army for Kolkata this season. He averages 38.9 with the bat, the highest for a Kolkata batter this year. That despite walking in to bat at many hopeless situations courtesy of the unproductive top-order. At the same time, his tally of 12 wickets is the second-highest for the side.
In this contest, there lies the Jasprit Bumrah threat against Russell, the batsman. The Mumbai seamer has dismissed the Kolkata all-rounder three times in IPL, the second most for a pacer. The trick lies in bowling short to Russell while cramping him for space. With his attack-at-all-cost approach, Russell has succumbed to Bumrah on most occasions. It is a big reason why Russell averages only 19.4 against Mumbai.
Rohit Sharma vs Sunil Narine (127 balls, 137 runs, 7 dismissals)
Sunil Narine has dismissed the Mumbai skipper seven times in T20 cricket, all occasions being in the Indian Premier League. This season, however, Narine has not shown a great wicket-taking form. He has managed only eight wickets in 11 games. The economy rate has been only 5.2 runs per over, a testimony to batsmen’s conservative approach against him.
Rohit, on the other hand, averages only 8.25 against spin for four dismissals this season. We might not see this battle unfold but if we do, Narine will back his chance to pile on Rohit's misery.
Probable XIs
Mumbai Indians
After consecutive wins, it is unlikely that Mumbai will make a change.
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
The changes in the Kolkata XI are anybody’s guess. Aaron Finch and Baba Indrajith have enjoyed a long run given the benchmark set by Kolkata and we can see their sixth opening pair. There might be a change in their bowling personnel as well. If Umesh Yadav stays on the bench due to an injured calf, we might see both Pat Cummins and Tim Southee in the XI as that is the only combination they haven’t tried yet.
But eventually, anticipating Kolkata’s playing XI correctly has a lower probability than winning a lottery. We will still try out best.
Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Anukul Roy, Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins, Tim Southee, Harshit Rana
Venue: Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
Date & Time: May 9, 07:30 PM IST