IPL 2021, Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Preview, Fantasy tips, Likely XIs

On Thursday, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight will face each other at Abu Dhabi. Since resumption, both teams have played one match each. This match is important for both sides to remain in the race.

Mumbai Indians dominated the first 10 overs of the match against Chennai Super Kings, but middle-order failure saw them losing the match by 20 runs. However, Mumbai's head-to-head superiority over Kolkata – 12 wins out of last 13 contests – easily gives them upper hands in IPL. Moreover, Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma, who missed the Chennai match, is expected to return in this game.

Batting has been a concern for Mumbai this season, as key players like Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, and the Pandya brothers have failed to get going. On the other hand, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah have shared taken 29 wickets so far this season, while Adam Milne is in excellent form too. The Kolkata top order is full of Indian young batters and may face difficulty to face Milne’s express pace.

Kolkata had a terrible first half, winning just two of their seven matches. They started the second leg strongly, thumping Royal Challengers Bangalore side by nine wickets. Their bowlers looked probing, and the inclusion of Venkatesh Iyer provided them a batter who can take risks at the top. Knights will back him to play shots. That will help Shubman Gill to play anchor at the non-striker’s end. In the middle order, they have Nitish Rana and Rahul Tripathi, followed by three very good finishers in Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell. Sunil Narine should retain his place.

Russell will also play a key role in the bowling. The preferred bowler for the Knights at the death, he was used brilliantly in the middle order against RCB. Lockie Ferguson and Varun Chakravarthy are expected to continue their good run, while Narine needs to bowl tightly like the previous match.

Likely XIs

Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock, Surya Kumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Saurabh Tiwary, Keiron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Adam Milne, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult

Kolkata Knight Riders: Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan (c), Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik, Sunil Narine, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy, Prasidh Krishna

Prediction

Despite poor records against MI, KKR can claim a rare win.

Betway Fantasy Tips

1. Russell is a very good pick with his all-round potential
2. MI Batters like Rohit, Suryakumar and de Kock have very good records against KKR
3. For KKR, Gill and Chakravarthy are the most reliable scorers.

Blitzpools Fantasy XI

Quinton de Kock; Rohit Sharma (capt), Rahul Tripathi, Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill; Andre Russell; Rahul Chahar, Varun Chakravarthy, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Lockie Ferguson