Match 5 of 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) will feature Kolkata Knight Riders and reigning champions Mumbai Indians (MI) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday, 13 April. While KKR began their campaign with a comfortable 10-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), MI lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the nail-biting season-opener.
While both teams boast of excellent track records in the past, the head-to-head clashes between Kolkata and Mumbai has generally been one-way, in favour of Rohit Sharma’s men. However, records do change over time. Eoin Morgan’s KKR have come prepared, and showed no sign of nerves in their opening tie.
KKR made a bold decision last time against SRH by bringing Shakib Al Hasan into the playing XI ahead of Sunil Narine, arguably the greatest cricketer in the history of the franchise. The move worked. Shakib got Wriddhiman Saha with his first ball, bowled beautifully, and impressed on the field.
After last year, questions were asked on the Kolkata top order. Despite their abilities, Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, and Rahul Tripathi are not an experienced group. However, against SRH, the uncapped pair of Rana (80 in 56 balls) and Tripathi (53 in 29) assured fans that their team is in good hands.
Their middle-order, featuring captain Morgan, Dinesh Karthik, Shakib and ‘Dre Russ’ Andre Russell, is one of the strongest of the tournament. Russell was not at his best in the UAE, but there is still little doubt over the selection of the only man to be adjudged MVP twice (in 2015 and 2019).
KKR’s bowling department has been a cause for concern in recent editions. This season, they have decided to bolster the spin attack by adding Harbhajan Singh, Pawan Negi, and Shakib. Harbhajan, who bowled just one over against SRH, may get dropped against MI. To replace him, young right-arm fast-medium Vaibhav Arora could make his IPL debut. Alternately, they may play Shivam Mavi.
Mumbai, on the other hand, are arguably the strongest squad ever in the IPL history. They have won the title a record five times (including the last two editions). Despite top-scoring with a 35-ball 49 against RCB, Chris Lynn may have to make way for Quinton de Kock. One of the highest run-getters for Mumbai last year, de Kock has completed his isolation period since joining MI camp.
Mumbai’s strength lies in two powerful cores, of a powerful middle-order (including all-rounders) and a set of wicket-taking bowlers. Thanks to Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard and Pandya brothers (Hardik and Krunal), they can shift the gear anytime in the match. The bowling unit, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult and now bolstered by Marco Jansen, seems extremely potent.
Mumbai are likely to go with just one change against KKR: they may replace Rahul Chahar with Jayant Yadav. Jayant can be handy against the KKR left-handers.
Head to head
This is one record KKR fans have grown to hate with every passing year. They have played Mumbai 27 times and have lost 21. This includes a run of 9 defeats in the last 10 clashes.
Key Players
Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians): The Mumbai skipper has a knack for scoring against Kolkata. He hit 939 runs against KKR, most by any batsman in IPL. His only hundred in the tournament came against his favourite opposition, back in 2012.
Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders): Kolkata’s 2021 campaign relies a lot on Dre Russ’s form. The Jamaican had a miserable IPL 2020 campaign but is still in search of his purple patch.
Likely XIs
Kolkata Knight Riders: Nitish Rana, Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan (c), Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Shakib al Hasan, Pat Cummins, Prasidh Krishna, Varun Chakravarthy, Vaibhav Arora.
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Jayant Yadav, Marco Jansen, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah
Prediction
Expecting a close contest. Probably a Mumbai win because of experience.