IPL 2019: MI vs KXIP - 3 interesting player battles to watch out for

Mumbai Indians will take on Kings XI Punjab in their third match of the season in Mohali. Both the teams have had a mixed start to this year's IPL having won one match and lost one each.

Both teams will be looking to consolidate their position on the points table by winning this match. Whoever wins this match will go to the top 4 positions. It is going to be a very interesting match as the hardest hitters of the ball will be facing the deadliest bowlers of the game.

The match also features the deputy skipper of the Indian team and one of it's finest bowlers in the opposition team. It is going to be an exciting affair and besides youngsters playing the game, this match will also feature two veteran legends who are the best in business despite their age.

Here are the three most interesting and intriguing matchups that could take place in this exciting match:

#1 Chris Gayle vs Lasith Malinga

Can Malinga get better of Gayle once again?

The best in the business versus the best in the business. The man with the most sixes in the game versus the man with the most wickets in the game. Both these players have done something for the game that not many players can do. It will one of the most exciting face-offs of the IPL to see the Universe Boss trying to smash Malinga's good old yorkers.

Going by stats neither of them have a good record against each other. While Malinga has dismissed the big man only once, Gayle has a strike rate of only 73.44 against him. Malinga has also bowled a maiden over against Gayle. With Gayle opening batting and Malinga bowling in the powerplay for Mumbai, it should turn out to be a cracker of a contest.

#2 KL Rahul vs Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah cleverly struck against Rahul to keep his side's playoffs hopes alive last year

The person with the most lethal yorkers and the person with the fastest IPL fifty, this is one encounter that no cricket fan would want to miss out on. While KL Rahul's elegant stroke play and hard hitting abilities is second to none in his team, he will be facing the best death bowler in this format of the game - Jasprit Bumrah.

Bumrah is someone whom you can count upon to defend even 5 runs off the final over and what makes the encounter more interesting is that Rahul opens batting for Kings XI Punjab while Bumrah usually bowls his first spell in the power play overs. Going by previous years' performances, Bumrah brilliantly dismissed a set Rahul on 94 to hand over Mumbai a win from the claws of Punjab. It will be interesting to see if he can do the same thing for his team this year too.

#3 Rohit Sharma vs Mohammed Shami

Can Mohammed Shami get the big wicket of Rohit Sharma?

Mohammed Shami's return to form in limited overs cricket has been one of the best things for the Indian team in a recent while. While this duo has played for the same team in the last couple of months, it will be interesting to see how Rohit Sharma tackles Mohammed Shami in the game.

Probably the most improved cricketer in the last year or so, Shami will be looking to nip out his vice-captain's wicket in a short span of time. He is someone who has been getting everything from his slower balls to yorkers to bouncers on point and Rohit Sharma will be keen to take him on and smash him around the park.

With both teams eager to secure a win to move up the points table, it is going to be a superb contest and these player battles is what is going to make the match more interesting.