Published: May 11, 2017, 07:00 AM (IST)
Edited: May 11, 2017, 04:30 PM (IST)
Before we preview match 51 between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), let us walk through the playoff scenario of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017. If anything, it will put things into perspective for you. Three teams — Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) — will be rooting for Mumbai. Why, you ask? Because, it will automatically confirm their berths in playoffs, along with Mumbai Indians (MI) who are comfortably placed at the top. However, if KXIP bag another win, the same enigma will take full circle before their last encounter. Besides, it adds more spice to this T20 spectacle. Live cricket scorecard: MI vs KXIP. match 51, IPL 2017
Face to face
Both teams were neck and neck before this season. They had won 9 games apiece. All the same, KXIP had won only 3 of their last 9 matches against Mumbai.
In this season
Mumbai went ahead in the race, beating KXIP by 8 wickets at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. The scoreline now reads 10-9. Jos Buttler and Nitish Rana eclipsed Hashim Amla’s resolute 104, chasing down a colossal 199 in a mere 15.3 overs.
Players to watch out for
Rana, with 321 runs at 32.10, is the highest run-scorer for Mumbai. However, Rana has not had a good time in last five innings: his scores read 8, 3, 19, 27, and 9. Before this, he had accumulated 3 half-centuries. With Mumbai already qualified for the penultimate stage, the ever-improving southpaw will have to get his act together and get the most out of this contest.
Captain Rohit Sharma is way down the list. Despite as many half-centuries as Rana, Rohit has only 250 runs to his name. But unlike Rana, he has been in ominous touch of late. In fact, all his fifties have come in the last 5 matches.
KXIP, on the other hand, will miss their top-scorer Hashim Amla. He flew back to prepare for 50-over series against England. In 10 games, the maverick managed 420 runs at 60. The performance is so staggering that the second run-getter for KXIP is Glenn Maxwell with 263 runs, that is, 197 runs less than Amla. If KXIP are to stay on course, Maxwell will have to sensibly apply himself.
Akshar Patel was instrumental on the field in KXIP’s must-win game against KKR. He took a brilliant catch at deep mid-wicket to send Robin Uthappa packing for a first-ball duck. He then, at a crucial juncture, inflicted a run out of Chris Lynn for 84. Above all, he has been at his best with the bat as well as ball.
While Mumbai’s Mitchell McClenaghan has taken 17 wickets, KXIP’s Sandeep Sharma is a place below him scalping 16 wickets.
Rahul Tewatia was a surprise package in the last match. With his leg-spinners, he took 2 for 18. With the bat, he blasted 15 of 8 in the death overs to take KXIP to a competitive total.
Key battles
Rohit has been dismissed thrice by leg-spinners — Imran Tahir, Samuel Badree, and Rashid Khan — this season. As a result, Maxwell is likely to employ Tewatia against him. Rohit have to be especially mindful of the wrong ‘un.
Harbhajan Singh has bowled at an economy of 5.81. Given this, he will handy in keeping Maxwell at bay.
Mohit Sharma has back-of-the hand, off-cutter, and a knuckle ball in his armoury. He has no option but to use all these weapons against the big-hitter Kieron Pollard.
Likely XI
Mumbai’s defeat against SRH in the previous contest was only third setback in 12 games. However, Mumbai benched Buttler to make way for Lendl Simmons. The West Indian started off with 66 but could score only a run against SRH. On the contrary, given Buttler was on song against KXIP in the previous contest between these teams, he is likely to get a nod to open with Parthiv Patel.
Krunal Pandya was left out in the last 2 matches due to injury. If Krunal recovers, Karn Sharma will have to make way for him.
Likely XI for Mumbai Indians: Lendl Simmons/Jos Buttler, Parthiv Patel (wk), Nitish Rana, Rohit Sharma (c), Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya/Karna Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell McClenaghan, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga
There is no reason KXIP should make any alterations in their playing XI they had used against KKR. They played well as a cohesive unit and did not succumb to pressure whatsoever.
Likely XI for Kings XI Punjab: Martin Guptill, Manan Vohra, Shaun Marsh, Wriddhiman Saha, Glenn Maxwell, Akshar Patel, Swapnil Singh, Rahul Tewatia, Matt Henry, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma
Predictions
A win for Mumbai may not be as significant as it is for KXIP, but it is imperative that they end up with 20 points to steer clear of the eliminator.
To be played at Wankhede Stadium, a high-scoring contest is on the cards. In addition, Mumbai have won 5 of 6 contests at their home ground in this edition. Considering they have won 4 while chasing, Rohit will invite KXIP to bat first if he calls it right at the toss.
Squads
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (c), Parthiv Patel (wk), Harbhajan Singh, Lasith Malinga, Kieron Pollard, Jos Buttler, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nitish Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Mitchell Johnson, Lendl Simmons, Tim Southee, Vinay Kumar, Saurabh Tiwary, Karn Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Krishnappa Gowtham, Siddhesh Lad, Nicholas Pooran, Shreyas Gopal, Asela Gunaratne, Jitesh Sharma, Deepak Punia, Jagadeesha Suchith, Kulwant Khejroliya
Kings XI Punjab: Glenn Maxwell (c), Hashim Amla, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), David Miller, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Manan Vohra, Akshar Patel, Marcus Stoinis, T Natarajan, Swapnil Singh, Darren Sammy, Shaun Marsh, Eoin Morgan, Ishant Sharma, Martin Guptill, Anureet Singh, Varun Aaron, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Matt Henry, Nikhil Naik, Rahul Tewatia, KC Cariappa, Pardeep Sahu, Rinku Singh, Armaan Jaffer
TIME: 20:00 IST | 14:30 GMT
