MI vs KKR Head to Head, Playing XI, Preview, Where to Watch on TV, Online, and Live Streaming Details

Last season’s runners-up Kolkata Knight Riders will take on five-time champions Mumbai Indians in Match 14 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. The encounter takes place at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Wednesday (April 6). Both teams have made contrasting starts to their respective campaigns which makes KKR firm favourites for this fixture. Shreyas Iyer has marshaled his troop brilliantly and his teammates have stepped up as well.

As a result, the two-time champions occupy the second place in the team standings with two wins in three outings. On the other hand, MI have made yet another dismal start to their campaign, losing their first two games. Compared to the last few seasons, this MI side isn’t that formidable at least on paper with many big guns leaving the franchise.

Their defeat in the first two games also exposed many loopholes in the team. With the Pandya brothers not being in the team anymore, the side’s middle and lower order looks pretty fragile with Kieron Pollard being the only proven IPL star. The bowling attack isn’t daunting either with Jasprit Bumrah not getting much support from other bowlers.

As far as positives are concerned, MI’s INR 15.25 crore recruit Ishan Kishan has been impressive so far, smashing quickfire fifties in this first two outings. Youngster Tilak Varma has also made full use of the opportunity. All in all, the players need to come together as a unit to take MI over the line. Speaking of the KKR camp, there are lesser concerns but there are still.

Last season’s sensation Venkatesh Iyer is yet to set the tournament on fire. While Ajinkya Rahane scored 44 in KKR’s opening game, his bat remained quiet in the next two games. Skipper Shreyas Iyer and Nitish Rana are also yet to hit the ground running. Nonetheless, KKR have been thriving with the bowlers and lower-order coming to the party.

The 2.0 version of Umesh Yadav is spitting venom with the new ball and has taken eight wickets in three games. The likes of Tim Southee and Sunil Narine have been impressive as well. Meanwhile, Andre Russell unleashed mayhem in the side’s last outing as he smashed a 31-ball 70, helping KKR beat Punjab Kings by six wickets.

Pitch and conditions 

The trend of ‘win the toss, win the match’ now seems to have changed as teams defending a total have won the last four games. The last game at the MCA Stadium also saw Gujarat Titans defeating Delhi Capitals by 14 runs. Meanwhile, the track at this venue is known to assist the batters at the start and spinners as the game progresses. As the dew factor can’t be taken out of the picture, the toss-winning skipper might again elect to field first.

Playing combinations for KKR vs MI

Kolkata Knight Riders

As KKR are coming off a convincing win against Punjab Kings, they shouldn’t make any changes to their line-up. There would be a thought of replacing Tim Southee with Pat Cummins when the latter is available. Until then, KKR shouldn’t tinker with their line-up.

Predicted XI: Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Sam Billings (WK), Nitish Rana, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Shivam Mavi

Mumbai Indians

Rohit Sharma’s team has multiple issues to address and they are unlikely to go with the same combination. If Suryakumar Yadav is fit and available, he’ll straightaway replace Anmolpreet Singh in the line-up. In another change, Jaydev Unadkat might replace Basil Thampi with the latter conceding 26 runs in the only over he bowled in the last game.

Predicted XI: Ishan Kishan (WK), Rohit Sharma (Captain), Anmolpreet Singh/ Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Kieron Pollard, Tim David, Daniel Sams, M Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Tymal Mills, Jaydev Unadkat

MI vs KKR Head-to-Head

Played – 29 | Mumbai Indians– 22 | Kolkata Knight Riders – 7 | N/R – 0

MI vs KKR Broadcast Details

Match Timings – 07:30 PM IST

TV – Star Sports Network

Live Streaming – Disney+Hotstar