Indian Premier League 2019 Match 56, Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

So this is where the teams stand. Mumbai Indians, having already qualified for the IPL 2019 Playoffs, will have to do better than at least one of Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings to make it to Qualifier 1. Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, have to finish above Sunrisers Hyderabad – a tall ask, given Hyderabad’s net run rate.

However, Mumbai and Kolkata will battle it out in the last match of the league stage, so both sides will have a specific target in sight, and will take field exactly what they need to qualify.

Kolkata had beaten Mumbai last Sunday at Eden Gardens in what had turned out to be a ridiculous runfest. This time, however, the ideal scenario for both sides would be to score as fast as possible and restrict the opposition – in other words, secure a win as comprehensive as possible.

Mumbai will rely on their batting line-up, one that consists of seven big hitters. Kolkata have as many, though not all of them have clicked, though Andre Russell has probably been twice as destructive as anyone else.

But Mumbai’s real advantage has been in their bowling, a department spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, bolstered by the experience of Lasith Malinga, and supported by the rise of Rahul Chahar. The Kolkata bowlers have not found their mojo this time, though Sandeep Warrier has looked good in his two appearances.

Head to head

History backs Mumbai by some margin: they have won 18 matches against Kolkata and lost 6.

However, Kolkata won the last of these battles, less than a week ago. Shubman Gill (76 in 45 balls) and Chris Lynn (54 in 29) added 96 for the opening stand that day, off just 57 balls. Then Russell (80* in 40) launched his usual assault to take Kolkata to 232/2, the highest score of the tournament.

Reduced to 58/4, Mumbai needed 175 in 70 balls at one point. It seemed over, but Hardik Pandya had other ideas. His 34-ball 91 kept Mumbai in the hunt till he got out. They finished on 198/7.

Key players

Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians): Had there been no Russell, Hardik would have been the Player of the Tournament (he is second on MVP Points anyway). With a strike rate of 197, 12 wickets (only Bumrah has more among teammates), and outstanding fielding, Hardik has been the second-biggest package this time.

Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders): Whatever Hardik has done with bat or ball, Russell has done better. His strike rate is 206, while his 11 wickets are the most for KKR. There is a reason why he has been the MVP of the season for over four weeks now.

Likely XIs

Mumbai Indians: Quinton de Kock (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Evin Lewis, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Barinder Sran, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah.

Kolkata Knight Riders: Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Shubman Gill, Robin Uthappa, Andre Russell, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Dinesh Karthik (c & wk), Piyush Chawla, Harry Gurney, Sandeep Warrier.

Prediction

Mumbai to win to put a claim to Qualifier 1.