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Kolkata Knight Riders will be desperate for two crucial points when they face already-eliminated Mumbai Indians in match 65 of the Indian Premier League on Wednesday, May 20.
It is a virtual must-win clash for KKR. A defeat here would almost end their playoff hopes, while MI are already out and will be playing only to spoil Kolkata’s campaign.
KKR vs MI match preview
KKR have scripted one of the biggest turnarounds of the season after a disastrous first leg. The side that remained winless in their first six matches has now won five of their last six games and pushed themselves back into playoff contention.
One of the major positives has been Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who has consistently delivered in the middle order. Young opener Finn Allen has also emerged as a game-changing presence at the top, giving KKR explosive starts in recent matches.
The bowling, however, remains a concern. Injuries have disrupted combinations and the attack has not looked settled at a crucial stage of the tournament. KKR will need their bowlers to step up if they are to keep their season alive.
MI have already been eliminated after one of their worst campaigns in IPL history. The five-time champions have struggled throughout the season and failed to find rhythm in either batting or bowling.
Suryakumar Yadav’s underwhelming season has been one of the biggest talking points. The experienced batter has not been able to produce the consistency expected from a player of his calibre.
With a few key players already ruled out of the tournament, MI will now focus on ending their season strongly and hurting KKR’s qualification hopes.
KKR vs MI head-to-head record
Matches Played: 36
Kolkata Knight Riders Won: 11
Mumbai Indians Won: 25
No Result: 0
KKR vs MI key players
Finn Allen – The New Zealand opener was sensational in the previous clash against Gujarat Titans, smashing 93 off just 30 deliveries. His fearless approach at the top has transformed KKR’s powerplay starts and he will once again be vital at Eden Gardens.
Tilak Varma – The stylish left-hander arrives after a brilliant century in MI’s previous game against Punjab Kings. With Mumbai already out, Tilak will be keen to continue making a statement and cement himself as one of the franchise’s future leaders.
KKR vs MI predicted playing XIs
Kolkata Knight Riders: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Finn Allen, Angkrish Raghuvanshi (wk), Cameron Green, Manish Pandey, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Varun Chakravarthy, Saurabh Dubey, Kartik Tyagi
Impact Player: Rovman Powell
Mumbai Indians: Ryan Rickelton (wk), Naman Dhir, Tilak Varma, Sherfane Rutherford, Will Jacks, Krish Bhagat, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah (c), Raghu Sharma
Impact Player: Rohit Sharma
KKR vs MI match prediction
The match will be played at Eden Gardens, a venue known for high-scoring encounters. KKR’s batting has looked in excellent touch and they will back themselves to make full use of the conditions.
Their win over GT at the same venue has boosted confidence and their spinners have started clicking at the right time.
MI, on the other hand, have no pressure and can play freely, which makes them dangerous. They have enough quality to disrupt KKR’s campaign and end their season on a high.
Prediction: Mumbai Indians to win the KKR vs MI match
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