We take a look at the Friday’s IPL clash which will see the Kings XI Punjab go head to head with the Mumbai Indians at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.
The Kings XI Punjab will look to take another step closer to the play-offs with their sixth win of what has been an excellent season for a team considered to be whipping boys in recent tournaments.
They go up against outgoing champions, the Mumbai Indians, who have endured a nightmare defence of their title. They are rooted to the bottom of the table with just two wins from their eight games. It’s all shaping up quite nicely, let’s take a look!
KXIP vs MI | Friday 4 May | Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore | 16:30
To Win Match
Kings XI Punjab 92/100
Tie 35/1
Mumbai Indians 92/100
Kings XI Punjab
Before their disappointing 13-run defeat at the hands of the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday last week, the Kings XI were on fire. They had won four on the spin and were flying high off the back of some breath-taking innings from KL Rahul and Chris Gayle.
They’ve had seven days in-between the aforementioned defeat and Thursday’s encounter, so they’ll most certainly have dissected everything that went wrong. Certainly, their fielding will have to improve. Dropped catches definitely cost them last time out with the likes of Ravi Ashwin, Andrew Tye, Manoj Tiwary and Mayank Agarwal all grassing pretty straight-forward chances.
The batting order could probably do with a bit of shake-up too. Aaron Finch simply has to be axed. He’s only managed 24 runs in five innings thus far with an average of just six and should make way for David Miller who has been inexplicably under-utilised by his franchise this season.
Bowling wise they’ve done pretty well of late. The duo of Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Ashwin will be key in combatting the Indians’ powerful top order. Tye you feel will again be left for much later on in the piece where his variations and ability to hit wide yorkers will be key.
Mumbai Indians
It is now most certainly time for the Indians to drop Kieron Pollard who has flopped spectacularly this season. His batting form has been nothing short of tragic, registering just 76 runs across six innings at an average of 15.20. He simply can’t remain in the team, especially if he is not fit enough to bowl.
A decision also needs to be made with regards to Rohit Sharma too. The Indian powerhouse has largely been a passenger in all but two matches this season. While it may not be worth dropping him, constantly moving him up and down the order is only unsettling the rest of the batting unit.
While there have been problems with the bat, the bowling attack has largely looked quite good. Although, what on earth they were thinking opening with JP Duminy against the Royal Challengers? The South African all-rounder was duly spanked for 28 in his two overs by Manan Vohra.
The pace duo of Mitchell McClenaghan and Jasprit Bumrah as well as India’s latest leg-spin sensation, Mayank Markande will need to deliver – especially in the early parts of the innings. If they are able to make early inroads against a very top heavy batting line-up they will find joy… just ask the Sunrisers.
Verdict: Kings XI Punjab 92/100
The Kings XI have been the better side throughout this tournament and will no doubt profit from their seven-day break. Back them to claim victory here against an under-performing Mumbai Indians outfit at 92/100.
