KKR Aiming for Playoffs Spot, MI Look to Avoid Last Place Finish
KKR Vs MI – The Eden Gardens in Kolkata will host the 60th match of the IPL 2024 season, featuring a clash between two teams on opposite ends of the spectrum. While the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are on a roll and close to securing a spot in the playoffs, the Mumbai Indians (MI) are already eliminated and fighting to avoid finishing last in the league.
KKR: Riding a Wave of Success
- Dominant Form: KKR have been in impeccable form in recent weeks, climbing to the top of the IPL table.
- Batting Bonanza: Openers Sunil Narine and Phil Salt have been scoring big runs consistently.
- Bowling Blitz: The KKR bowling attack has been a strong support system, aiding captain Shreyas Iyer in leading his team to victories.
MI’s Season of Struggles
- Disappointing Strategy: Mumbai Indians’ season has been plagued by a lack of clear direction and strategy.
- Glimmer of Hope: Their recent win against Sunrisers Hyderabad provides some much-needed confidence.
- Avoiding the Bottom Spot: Hardik Pandya, the MI captain, will be determined to end the season on a high and avoid finishing last in the league.
KKR Vs MI: Weather/Pitch Report
Match Day Weather Update for KKR vs MI at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Expect a Humid Day with a Chance of Thunderstorms
- Scattered thunderstorms are likely around 2 PM during the match.
- Overcast skies are expected throughout the match.
- It will be a humid day with temperatures around 28 degrees Celsius and humidity levels of 80-82%.
- Wind speeds will be mild, reaching close to 15 km/h.
Eden Gardens Pitch Report: A Batter’s Paradise with a Twist
The Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata has been a haven for batsmen this IPL season. Here’s what you can expect:
- High-Scoring Matches: Recent matches at the venue have seen a flurry of runs, even culminating in a record chase.
- First Innings Advantage: Teams batting first have historically performed well at Eden Gardens.
- Night Time Bonus: Chasing can still be a viable option, as the ball tends to swing more under the lights, favoring the batsmen.
- Pacers’ Playground: True pace and bounce on the wicket make it a good hunting ground for fast bowlers.
KKR Vs MI: Predicted Playing XI
Kolkata Knight Riders
PD Salt (wk), SP Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, VR Iyer, S Iyer (C), RK Singh, AD Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, H Rana, Varun Chakravarthy
Mumbai Indians
Ishan Kishan (wk), Rohit Sharma, SA Yadav, Tilak Varma, Tim David, HH Pandya (C), Naman Dhir, Piyush Chawla, A Kamboj, N Thushara, JJ Bumrah
KKR Vs MI: Captain/Vice-Captain Picks
Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Jasprit Bumrah (BOWL): A dependable force for MI, Bumrah leads their bowling attack with his impressive wicket-taking ability and economical spells.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- Sunil Narine (ALL): Narine has been a revelation for KKR, showcasing explosive batting and economical bowling. His all-round skills have been instrumental in KKR’s resurgence this season.
MI’s Redemption Hope
- Suryakumar Yadav (BAT): MI finally secured a win thanks to Suryakumar Yadav’s brilliant century against Hyderabad. Returning to Eden Gardens, his former home ground for four years, Yadav will be looking to repeat his heroics.
KKR Vs MI: Top Player Picks
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- Phil Salt (WK): A shrewd pick-up by KKR, the English opener Phil Salt has been a key factor in their strong starts with the bat. He’s also proven to be a reliable wicket-keeper.
- Venkatesh Iyer (ALL): KKR’s all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer has a history of performing well against Mumbai Indians. His match-winning fifty in their previous encounter is a testament to that. Look for him to replicate his heroics again.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Tilak Varma (BAT): For three seasons running, youngster Tilak Varma has been a crucial figure in the MI batting line-up. He’s known as their “crisis man,” often rescuing them from difficult situations with valuable contributions.
KKR Vs MI: Game Changers/Dark Horse Picks
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- Varun Chakravarthy (BOWL): After a sluggish start, KKR spinner Varun Chakravarthy has found his groove in recent matches. He’s not only taking wickets, but also improving his economy rate.
- Mitchell Starc (BOWL): Australian pacer Mitchell Starc was instrumental in KKR’s previous victory over MI, taking 4/33 and dismantling their batting lineup. He’ll be looking to replicate that performance in this encounter.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Piyush Chawla (ALL): Veteran spinner Piyush Chawla seems to have rediscovered his bowling touch. The 35-year-old played a key role in their last win against SRH by grabbing three wickets.
KKR Vs MI: Dream 11, Team 1, Small League & H2H
Wicket-keeper: Phil Salt
Batters: Suryakumar Yadav, Venkatesh Iyer, Tilak Varma, Rohit Sharma
All-rounder: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Hardik Pandya
Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Piyush Chawla
Captain First-Choice: Suryakumar Yadav || Captain Second-Choice: Phil Salt
Vice-captain First-Choice: Tilak Varma || Vice-captain Second-Choice: Jasprit Bumrah
KKR Vs MI: Dream 11, Team 2, Grand League
Wicket-keepers: Phil Salt, Ishan Kishan
Batters: Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma
All-rounder: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Hardik Pandya
Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana
Captain First-Choice: Sunil Narine || Captain Second-Choice: Andre Russell
Vice-captain First-Choice: Phil Salt || Vice-captain Second-Choice: Hardik Pandya
Who Could Win?
While Mumbai Indians (MI) have historically held the upper hand against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), current form paints a different picture. KKR’s recent dominance and MI’s struggles make them the favorites to win this match. However, cricket is a game of uncertainties, so the final outcome remains to be seen.
