MI vs KKR: Preview, Pitch Report, Probable XIs, Fantasy Tips & Prediction
Mumbai Indians won their last game against DC [Source: AP]
On Sunday, five-time champions Mumbai Indians will cross swords against two-time title holders Kolkata Knight Riders in the 22nd group-stage fixture of the ongoing Indian Premier League season. Considering both teams are studded with some T20 superstars, we expect a cracking contest between them at the iconic Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.
Team Preview: Mumbai Indians
Led by Rohit Sharma, Mumbai Indians got off to a disastrous start to their IPL 2023 campaign, being handed an eight-wicket hammering by Royal Challengers Bangalore in their first game. Things only worsened for MI thereafter, as arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings crushed them by seven wickets in their first home game of the season.
However, the blue brigade got themselves back on the winning track, securing a six-wicket victory in a thrilling encounter against Delhi Capitals on Tuesday. Despite missing ace speedster Jofra Archer, Mumbai Indians did a fairly good job to bundle DC out for 172. The biggest positive for them was Piyush Chawla, who derailed the Capitals' batting lineup by registering a spectacular three-for.
Meanwhile, in the batting department, Tilak Varma oozed his class yet again, with Rohit Sharma playing a well-composed captain's knock of 65 runs. However, the MI think tank would like their wrecker-in-chief, Suryakumar Yadav, to regain his mojo, as he has recorded three consecutive failures in the tournament.
Team Preview: Kolkata Knight Riders
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KKR lost to SRH in their last game [Source: AP]
On the other hand, Kolkata Knight Riders have had a topsy-turvy ride in the IPL 2023 so far. They started their campaign with a heart-breaking seven-run defeat to Punjab Kings, but were quick to bounce back, decimating RCB by 81 runs in their subsequent match.
Continuing their prolific run, KKR stunned defending champions Gujarat Titans in their third game, as Rinku Singh pulled off a heist, smashing five consecutive sixes off Yash Dayal to ensure a miraculous victory for his side.
However, their two-match winning streak was broken by Sunrisers Hyderabad, who, riding on Harry Brook's scintillating hundred, handed them a 23-run defeat last night.
While their batting unit has done a fabulous job, the KKR bowlers haven't quite lived up to the expectations, conceding more than 200 runs in two consecutive matches.
So, skipper Nitish Rana would want an improved performance with the ball from his troops, particularly the pacers, Umesh Yadav and Lockie Ferguson.
Match Details
Date & Time: April 16, 03.30 PM IST
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Live Streaming: Jio Cinema & Star Sports Network
Pitch Report: The surface in Mumbai will have something for everyone. There will be a hint of movement with the new ball, the spinners will get some turn and the batters will enjoy its pace and bounce to play shots. However, as the pitch will remain more or less the same throughout the day, whoever wins the toss will opt to field first.
Probable Playing XIs
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Nehal Wadhera, Cameron Green, Arshad Khan, Hrithik Shokeen, Piyush Chawla, Jason Behrendorff, Riley Meredith
Impact Players: Tim David, Ramandeep Singh, Tristan Stubbs, Kumar Kartikeya, Arjun Tendulkar
Kolkata Knight Riders: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, N Jagadeesan, Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy
Impact Players: Suyash Sharma, Anukul Roy, David Wiese, Kulwant Khejroliya, Mandeep Singh
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Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicket-Keepers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ishan Kishan
Batters: Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer
All-Rounders: Andre Russell, Sunil Narine
Bowlers: Umesh Yadav, Jason Behrendorff, Riley Meredith
Captain: Tilak Varma
Vice Captain: Sunil Narine
Prediction
Although MI are coming on the back of a victory, KKR certainly look more balanced and will likely emerge victorious in this match.
 "Debashis Sarangi")
