MI vs KXIP: Preview, head-to-head and Fantasy XI
Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab square off at the Wankhede in match number 50 of 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL). Both teams face a must-win scenario and that, in turn, could see the winner take a significant advantage in improving their qualification chances for the play-offs. These two teams lost their previous match. Here is our pre-match report of the crunch tie.
Mumbai Indians have an advantage (11-10) when these sides have met in IPL. But at the Wankhede, Kings XI have a 4-3 record in seven meetings between the two teams. When the two sides met earlier this season, MI won comfortably by six wickets chasing down a target of 175 runs. MI are on brink of elimination, whereas, KXIP have lost momentum.
Evin Lewis, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma (captain), Hardik Pandya, JP Duminy, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Krunal Pandya, Ben Cutting, Mitchell McClenaghan, Mayank Markande and Jasprit Bumrah.
Lokesh Rahul (wicket-keeper), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Aaron Finch, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin (captain), Andrew Tye, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohit Sharma and Ankit Rajpoot.
As per reports, dew could come to play and that will see the chasing team have a a significant advantage. There is a tinge of green on the pitch and that could assist seamers, who have enjoyed at the Wankhede. No rain is expected and it would be a full game. MI bowlers will have the advantage here.
Chris Gayle has amassed 519 runs in 14 innings against MI. At Wankhede, pacers have taken 31 wickets at an economy of 8.26. MI have the record of most ducks this season (13). KXIP have struggled in the middle overs with a run-rate of only 7.55. They have also lost 36 wickets during this phase. MI have lost seven matches in IPL 2018.
In-form KL Rahul gets the nod as the skipper of the Fantasy XI. MI's Hardik Pandya comes in as the vice-captain. MI opening duo Suryakumar Yadav and Evin Lewis hold a spot alongside West Indian talisman Chris Gayle, Karun Nair and Aaron Finch. In the bowling department, Mitchell McClenaghan, Mayank Markande, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Andrew Tye get chosen.
