IPL 2018, MI vs KXIP:5 player battles to look forward to 

#4 Ishan Kishan v Ravichandran Ashwin

Ishan Kishan

Considering the fact that KXIP’s best bowler Mujeeb Ur Rahman is still a doubt, it is their captain Ravichandran Ashwin who would need to raise his game tonight and it is his battle with the MI wicketkeeper-batsman that promises to be a very interesting one. Ishan Kishan’s batting in the MI middle-order has been quite brilliant and his power-hitting in that period has often taken the team’s batting effort to a brilliant level.

For instance, his dismantling of the KKR spin attack two games ago pretty much settled the game in the 1st innings and tonight he would definitely like to do the same against Ashwin. The Indian spinner has been the steadying influence for the KXIP attack in the middle overs and his economy rate of 8.15 is proof of his effectiveness in that period. Can he do it tonight against Kishan, who is striking at 157.23? Time will tell but is going to be a pivotal battle.