Preview: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders

Four days ago, a stunning innings from Rohit Sharma helped Mumbai Indians overcome the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens and break their winning streak of six consecutive wins. It was a loss that reminded the Knight Riders how painfully dependent they have been on the class of Gambhir and the guile of Narine to see them through their victories, while good performances from Mumbai’s array of resources in their last two outings put them firmly on track to registering a berth in the playoffs. A win is important for both the teams to enhance their chances of finishing in the top two and avoiding the eliminator.

Gambhir has scored six fifties this season with an average of 43.25, but the next highest average in the team is a disappointing 24.75 registered by Jacques Kallis with one fifty (excluding Debabrata Das’s average of 62 due to a string of not out scores). Sunil Narine has been a sweet revelation for them, having taken 17 wickets from 11 outings at an average of 13.70 and a frugal economy rate of 5.29, which is the lowest among bowlers who have played more than 5 matches. While these two players have ably shouldered Kolkata to their third position in the table, erratic performances from the rest of the team will be major cause for concern as they hit the playoff stage with tougher teams waiting in the line.

Most players of Mumbai Indians have found form towards the end of the first round, but they have still failed to click as a team on most occasions and their on-field behavior has not contributed to their cause. Mumbai fans will be hoping that the intermittent sparks shown by their batting line-up come together in the crucial stages of the tournament and supports their competent bowling unit. Sachin Tendulkar could miss the match as he is expected to take his oath as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi.

Head to HeadMumbai lead a dominating head-to-head record with eight wins out of nine encounters between the two teams, having defeated them in their last outing at Eden Gardens and outlasting them in their single encounter last season by five wickets.

Players to watch out for

Mumbai Indians

Rohit Sharma

With a majestic 109 off 60 deliveries in his last outing, the flamboyant batsman finally seems to be coming into his zone and delivering the potential that his fluent starts have promised earlier this season. In a the crucial position of number three, Rohit Sharma will have to come to the fore in the next few games and contribute significantly to the Mumbai batting.

Lasith Malinga

The Lankan pacer must be itching to bowl to a line-up packed with right handers and out of form batsman. Mumbai will be relying on him to get the all-important wicket of Gambhir up front and stifle the Knight Riders’ batting.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Gautam Gambhir

Gambhir will be hoping that he could carry his prime form into the critical stages of the tournament and propel Kolkata into their first ever IPL final. He has had to play the role of a consolidator at times, but with some support from the middle order, Gambhir might just find a great opportunity to unleash his natural hitting ability against the slow bowlers of Mumbai Indians.

Sunil Narine

Even as the other spinners are being decoded by the batsmen with the progression of the tournament, Sunil Narine’s bowling continues to deceive the hapless batsmen who are struggling to pick his variations. The Mumbai batsmen will be wary of losing a string of wickets to him, and will be looking to see him off and reserve their aggression for the other bowlers.

Anticipated face-off

Expect Malinga to play some chin music today as he readies himself to bowl to Gautam Gambhir, who has painted himself as a prime target for the Mumbaikars.

Prediction for the game

Both teams have relied on individual brilliance to clinch them victories, and will need their players to come good as a team while they still can. In a tournament dominated by batting stalwarts, this match might just be a clash between the bowling units of the two teams.

Though Kolkata has managed to maneuver most bowling attacks, they might find Mumbai’s deceptive attack far more difficult to get away with, and if their bowers are ever going to leak runs, it might just be against a battery of natural hitters than Mumbai sports.

Predicted winner: Mumbai Indians.