IPL 2020

MI vs KXIP – Match Preview, Head to Head, & Key Players List

It will be the clash of table-toppers Mumbai Indians and a bottom-placed Kings XI Punjab in the 2nd game of the doubleheader in Dubai. Rohit Sharma has been among runs but has been playing a second fiddle to his opening partner Quinton De Kock. KL Rahul was finally was at the positive side of the result as his knock helped them get over the line against RCB. In the last game, these sides met, MI completely outplayed KXIP and won by a margin of 48 runs.

MI is on a 5 match winning streak and favorites to make it 6 on 6 going into this game. All their batters have been in great and barring Hardik Pandya, every other batter in their top-6 has scored at least one 50+ score.  Quinton De Kock has been in an amazing form and so is Surya Kumar Yadav. Their bowling has gone from strength to strength in each passing game picking regular wickets and restricting their opponents.

KXIP won their 2nd game of this season and would look to carry on their winning momentum but this match against the Mumbai Indians is not going to easy for them. Chris Gayle’s batting form in his return is a good sign for them and the openers as usual were at their best. For a change, their bowlers came good by putting a brake on the scoring rate which was the main reason for their win over RCB. 

Batsman – Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, and Mayank Agarwal.

While facing a team such as Mumbai, the top order has to fire more often than not. The likes of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal have been in great touch and are at the top 2 positions in the race for the orange cap. KL played a match-winning knock last game and would like to play a similar sort of role in this game as well. Rohit Sharma has played well but hasn’t scored a big one in a long while and this might be the game we see his carnage. Hardik Pandya playing as a batsman hasn’t scored a fifty as of yet and will look to score one if he gets an eye in.

All Rounder- Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Coulter Nile, and Krunal Pandya.

With the inclusion of Nathan Coulter Nile, MI has much more depth in the batting order and most likely get another chance despite going for plenty with the ball. With Pollard not bowling the first few games, NCN is a player to watch out for. Krunal Pandya has slowly become effective with the ball and is gaining confidence. Glenn Maxwell opened the bowling last game and did well in the powerplays. With Gayle coming back, Maxwell might play more freely coming lower down the order.]

Bowlers – Akshdeep Singh, M Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rahul Chahar.

Rahul Chahar was the pick of the bowlers for MI last game and he dented the KKR’s top order with back to back wickets. As the pitch is wearing down, he will have a great role to play in the future games for Mumbai. Jasprit Bumrah is the highest wicket-taker for the Mumbai Indians along with Trent Boult with 12 scalps each and is getting better in each passing game.  Murugan Ashwin was the one who made the most damage among KXIP bowlers’ last game vs RCB and should be a threat this game as well. The youngster Akshdeep Singh is bowling pretty well in the powerplays as well in death overs. He will only get better as he gets more opportunities.

Battles to look forward

  1. Rahul Chahar vs Mayank Agarwal
  2. Jasprit Bumrah vs Chris Gayle
  3. Murugan Ashwin vs Rohit Sharma

Chris Gayle made a fifty on his return to the side but had a subdued start and Bumrah will most likely be in the attack when the big man comes to the crease. Rohit Sharma with his tendency to struggle a little bit against the leg-spinners may have to face the threat of Murugan Ashwin who has been bowling well this season.  Similarly for Mumbai, Chahar has been brilliant and it can go either way with Mayank Agarwal who will attack spinners is at the crease.

Head to Head between MI and KXIP.

  • Matches Played: 25
  • MI Won: 14
  • KXIP won: 11

Significant Approaching Milestones.

1: De Kock needs 3 more scalps behind wickets to complete 50 IPL dismissals(catch and stumpings).

71- Kieron Pollard required 71 runs to complete 3000 IPL runs.

4- KL Rahul needs 4 to hit 4 more maximums to reach 100 IPL 6’s.

Match conditions

Venue: Dubai international cricket stadium, Dubai. 

Date & Timings: October 18, 2020, at 7.30 PM IST.

Weather: Clear with the temperature around 32 C.

Pitch: Likely to be a slow batting surface with possible due later on.



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