(Info4now, April 6, 2022)– As a number of bowling quicks leave Mumbai Indians, it’s all about how Jasprit Bumrah reacts and it’s not easy to continue as a number one striker of a franchise without the support from the other end. As they move for the KKR vs MI contest at MCA today, they have to pick one from the bench. They are batting well with the help of one or two batsmen who have that commitment of continuing. But neither the slowers nor the quicks are offering that sort of promise with the ball.
For KKR, there were the same loopholes in the last game and it was only Russell who made the difference in the batting. They kept losing wickets towards the lower middle order until a determined Andre Russell finished things off in his style.
Preview: KKR vs MI Match 14, IPL 2022
It’s very hard for Rohit Sharma to take full responsibility as an opener as he is getting tired of excess load. So Mumbai Indians need to think on it and rightly he can be moved down the order—either at No. 3 or at No. 4. Anmolpreet Singh can open with Ishan Kishan who is in great touch. Another young enthusiast Tilak Verma is in terrific touch as he continues to roll Mumbai’s innings even in losing causes.
In the last game, Kieron Pollard found some good timing. He is not at home, but who knows, against KKR, he might get back to his fluency. As Daniel Sams fails, it’s tough for Mumbai to get to rhythm. Down the order his batting is very important for the Indians as the middle order is yet to fire.
As we scrutinized KKR’s fifth bowling option in the last article, they finally went for six batsmen and five bowlers combination. So it was a good move. On the one hand, it takes the pressure off Andre Russell and gives a chance for a defending team to go with full strength on the other. I think, for this particular game, they will go with Shivam Mavi again in place of Sheldon Jackson and prefer playing Sam Billings as a regular wicket keeper. Umesh Yadav and Tim Southee are in a fantastic going for Shreyas Iyer.
Sunil Narine should be played at No. 7 without going through any experiment as Kolkata Knight Riders need a No. 7. Venkatesh Iyer still to get his going and Mumbai must be looking for an early breakthrough having in mind KKR’s tentative top order. So KKR should be looking for promising knocks from Nitish Rana and Sam Billings. Let Russell play his own game.
To Conclude
It’s the third game at MCA, Pune and there is enough chance that a captain might choose to bat for the first time. There is little chance of dew and ball not coming to bat easily in the second half. History is very crucial for KKR in a KKR vs MI contest and KKR must capitalize Mumbai’s pointless run in the tournament.
Probable Playing XI: KKR vs MI Match , IPL 2022
Mumbai Indians: Anmolpreet Singh/Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Verma, Tim David, Kieron Pollard, Daniel Sams, Mayank Markandey, Jaydev Unadkat, Tymal Mills and Jasprit Bumrah.
Kolkata: Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, Shreyas Iyer, Sam Billings, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Tim Southee/Pat Cummins, Umesh Yadav, Shivam Mavi and Varun Chakravarthy.