Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians meet in what seems to be an inconsequential match at the business end of a tournament they have dominated over the years. Five-time winners MI are out of the race for the playoffs, while three-time IPL champions KKR are all but out of the equation.
The hosts remain one among five teams fighting for the sole available playoffs berth. The other teams are Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. All sorts of permutation and combinations come into play.
However, a defeat is likely to officially end KKR’s playoff hopes for the second successive season. At the same time winning the last two games, which will take them to 15 points, might not be good enough too.
KKR’s Campaign Recovery
KKR should take heart from the way they have pulled their campaign back. They have recorded five wins in their last six matches after a disastrous start to the season.
But a side with nothing to lose often proves dangerous and MI have played the party poopers for Punjab Kings in their last match. As a matter of fact it was MI who had hit KKR hard in their first match in this IPL, recording a six-wicket victory.
Key Players for Mumbai Indians
The main architects of that victory — Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma — will once again hold the key.
Skipper Hardik Pandya is expected to return after missing three games with an injury. This will boost MI’s batting as well as bowling departments.
MI might have faltered this time, but they will always stand ahead of their rivals on experience having a number of international players on the roster.
Knight Riders’ Strengths
KKR, on the other hand, seem to have finally got their house in order. While New Zealand opener Finn Allen has got going, Rinku Singh has shouldered the responsibility of a finisher.
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