OC's IPL Match Prediction Today: IPL 2024 MI vs KKR, Who Will Win Today's Match?

Venkatesh Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav after IPL 2023 MI vs KKR match [iplt20.com]Venkatesh Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav after IPL 2023 MI vs KKR match [iplt20.com]

The Mumbai Indians will be playing against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 51st match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024). This match will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on May 3rd at 7:30 PM IST. 

The Mumbai Indians are practically out of the tournament. Although mathematically a qualification for them is still possible but it seems to far a feat to be achieved. On the other hand, the two points available in this game are absolutely important for the Kolkata Knight Riders to stay within the top two. 


How has the Wankhede Stadium's pitch behaved?

Four matches have been played at the Wankhede Satdium in IPL 2024 so far. Except the first match, the wicket has looked for batting. The batters have enjoyed the surface and the same could be expected in this game. It has traditionally been a good chasing ground, but in this edition the spoils have been shared equally by the teams batting and fielding first. 

Phases
Avg 1st Innings Score
Avg Dismissals
Avg 2nd Innings score
Avg Dismissals
Powerplays
532571
Middle Overs873973
Death Overs502513


MI vs KKR: Predicted Toss Result

Even though the toss has not played a huge role in the outcome of the games in the IPL 2024, historically the Wankhede Stadium has been a good chasing ground. The nature of the wicket, the dimensions of the ground and the historical records will induce the skipper winning the toss to field first. 


MI vs KKR: Predicted Score

Predicted first innings score: 200-215
Predicted second innings score: 205-220

Predicted Result: The team field first will have the advantage in this game


MI vs KKR: Player Battles

Suryakumar Yadav vs Varun Chakravarthy

Runs
Balls
Strike Rate
Dismissals
26
25
1041

Predicted result - While Suryakumar Yadav has dominated most of the bowlers in T20 cricket, Varun Charkravarthy is not one of them. In 25 deliveries, Charkravarthy has conceded only 26 runs and has picked up a wicket. This is an expected face-off in this game and Varun Chakravarthy will probably keep Surya quiet. 

Andre Russell vs Jasprit Bumrah

Runs
 Balls
Strike Rate
Dismissals
5644127.304

Predicted Result: Andre Russell is the designated finisher for KKR. With Russell coming in the death overs and trying to give a power-packed finish to the team, it is expected that he will be facing Jasprit Bumrah. The Indian pacer has dominated this clash previously and the same can be expected when these two players face each other in this match. 


MI vs KKR: Weakness of the teams

Mumbai Indians

Bowling

The bowling department has been the biggest disappointment for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024. Barring Jasprit Bumrah, all the other bowlers have struggled to fine their rhythm. Even when the batters have scored over 200 runs, the bowling line-up has not been able to defend it. Ahead of the game, the out of rhythm bowling department is the biggest weakness of the Mumbai Indians. 

Kolkata Knight Riders

Death over bowling

The KKR unit has been compact throughout the tournament. Their batting has looked good and the bowling has also done decently in the powerplay and middle-overs. However, their death bowling has been a concern and that remains the biggest weakness of the 'Purple Army' before the game. 


MI vs KKR: Strengths of the teams

Mumbai Indians

Tilak Varma

The young Indian batter has been the biggest strength of the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024. Tilak Varma has been super consistent throughout the tournament and has scored important runs for the team under pressure. He has provided solidity to the team's batting and that makes him a big strength ahead of the game. 

Kolkata Knight Riders

Sunil Narine

The reincarnation of Sunil Narine, the batter has given huge impetus to KKR as a team. He has given the team some blazing starts setting the stage for the mammoth total the team has achieved in most games. Not only with the bat, Narine has been an asset for the team with the ball too. His economical overs in the middle-overs has given the KKR great advantage. Mumbai Indians need to think of ways to nullify the 'Narine-effect' in this match.