Kolkata Knight Riders. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
Mumbai Indians (MI) will be hosting inconsistent Kolkata Kight Riders (KKR) in the 22nd match of the Indian Premier League 2023 (IPL) at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday, April 16. Mumbai Indians registered their first win of the season as they beat bottom-placed Delhi Capitals in their last game. But the hosts are far from convincing as they struggle to find the right balance in their playing combination.
On the other hand, Kolkata Knight Riders settled for their playing eleven and are unlikely to tinker with their combination. They suffered a disappointing loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at home in their last game but managed to score 205 runs while chasing a 229-run target. Kolkata’s batting unit is looking in good rhythm as they scored 200-plus totals while chasing in two consecutive games.
But Kolkata’s only concern at the moment is their inconsistent pace attack with Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur, and Lockie Ferguson taking only two wickets combined so far. However, Nitish Rana-led team is likely to stick with the same pace trio with Andre Russell providing additional depth against Mumbai Indianson a flat track at Wankhede.
Here’s Kolkata Knight Riders predicted XI against Mumbai Indians
Openers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Narayan Jagadeesan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz. (Photo source: BCCI/IPL)
Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a duck against SRH as he struggled again for a big knock. The Afghan wicketkeeper-batter has scored 94 runs from four innings at a decent strike rate of 125.33 so far but definitely needs to contribute more with Litton Das and Jason Roy waiting on the bench for opportunities.
Narayan Jagadeesan kept Kolkata Knight Riders alive in a big chase against Hyderabad by scoring 36 off 21. This was his only second appearance in IPL 2023 but he seems to have adapted quickly and might continue opening innings in the upcoming games.
Middle Order: Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana (c), Rinku Singh
Rinku Singh. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
Venkatesh Iyer’s role as an impact player continues but the young batter scored just 10 off 11 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Venkatesh has been impressive with a bat this season with 130 runs at a healthy strike rate of 151.16 so far. The Indore-born smashed an unbeaten fifty and a 43 off 24 against Mumbai Indians across two innings last season and will be looking to produce another impactful knock.
Nitish Rana played a captain’s knock by smashing 75 off 41 with the help of five fours and six sixes against Sunrisers Hyderabad. This was his first fifty in IPL 2023 but he is looking in great rhythm with 145 runs from four innings at an impressive strike rate of 157.60 and is doing his best to carry fans’ expectations in Shreyas Iyer’s absence so far.
Rinku Singh pulled off another sensational knock as he smashed 58* off 31 against Sunrisers Hyderabad to continue his impressive rise in IPL. The youngster’s heroics against Gujarat Titans to finish the game with five consecutive sixes put him under the limelight but the youngster responded exceptionally well and currently leads the scoring chart for the Knight Riders.
All-rounders: Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur and Sunil Narine (Photo Source : Twitter)
Andre Russell took three wickets for 22 against Sunrisers Hyderabad as he bowled first time in IPL 2023. The pace all-rounder was the leading wicket-taker for Kolkata Knight Riders last season so the management is likely to regularly utilize him as the sixth-choice bowling option after the latest spell. However, Russell remains quiet with a bat this season with just 39 runs from four innings, including three against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Sunil Narine was promoted to bat at no.4 as Kolkata lost two early wickets while chasing a huge target. But the Caribbean all-rounder was dismissed on a golden duck while attempting a big shot. With a ball, Narine bowled an economical spell but was not able to pick wickets at Eden Gardens.
Shardul Thakur endured a poor night against the Sunrisers as he dropped an easy catch to miss a chance to dismiss Harry Brook, scored just 12 runs, and was limited to bowl just five deliveries where he conceded 14 runs without any success. Apart from Shardul’s heroics against Royal Challengers Bangalore, the pace all-rounder has scored just 20 runs and failed to get any wickets in IPL 2023.
Bowlers: Umesh Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy
Umesh Yadav against PBKS. (Photo Source: IPL/ BCCI)
Kolkata Knight Riders have conceded 200-plus scores in their last two games as the bowling unit, especially pacers, continues to struggle this season. Umesh Yadav conceded 42 runs off his three-over spell against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last match. Umesh has managed to take just one wicket in IPL 2023 and has failed to pick any in his last three innings.
Lockie Ferguson conceded 37 runs from just two overs against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last game, including 23 in the 15th over. The Kiwi speedster remains without a wicket after two innings in IPL 2023 as fans will be hoping for better performances from a player who cost INR 10.25 crore.
Varun Chakravarthy took just six wickets in IPL 2022 but has now already leveled the last season’s tally in just four innings. Varun is looking in a good rhythm with six wickets, including Aiden Markram’s wicket in the last match, at an economy rate of 7.97.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Playing XI
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Narayan Jagadeesan, Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana (c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Probable Playing XI
Suyash Sharma, Litton Das, Anukul Roy, Mandeep Singh, Tim Southee
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