IPL 2018: Kings XI Punjab win toss, opt to field vs Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians will be batting first in their last league home game of the season after Kings XI Punjab captain R Ashwin won the toss and elected to field in the crucial Indian Premier League match on Wednesday. (MI v KXIP LIVE UPDATES)

Mumbai Indians, who are in a must-win situation, brought back Kieron Pollard in place of JP Duminy. (MI v KXIP LIVE SCORECARD)

In their bid to bolster their middle-order, Kings XI have left out Karun Nair and Mayank Agarwal and brought in their experienced batsmen Yuvraj Singh and Manoj Tiwary.

Kings XI’s ace spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman is sitting out due to injury.

With two rounds to go, Mumbai Indians are on 10 points after 12 games, Kings XI have 12 points after 12 games.

A defeat on Wednesday will signal the end of Mumbai Indians’ campaign. Kings XI Punjab are also under pressure to stay alive in the tournament. In the last round, Mumbai Indians play Delhi Daredevils while Kings XI Punjab are up against the in-form Chennai Super Kings.

Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab have contested 21 matches so far. Mumbai have won 11 and Kings XI 10.

Even though the game is at the Wankhede Stadium, Kings XI Punjab will fancy their chances because Mumbai Indians’ home record has been poor this season. Mumbai has lost four of their six matches played at home.

Overall too Kings XI have a better record against Mumbai at Wankhede. Of the seven matches between the two, Kings XI have won four.

Mumbai Indians precarious situation is owing to the four defeats suffered in their first five games. It’s been the reverse for their opponents, Kings XI. The Punjab outfit started brightly and were table-toppers at one point in time, with five wins in their first six matches. But have been in a freefall since and managed to post only one win in their next six matches.

Sunrises Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings have already booked their playoff spots. The other two spots are up for grabs. But, there are five teams in the fray. Apart from MI and Kings XI; Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore are in with the chance.

Teams:

Mumbai Indians: Evin Lewis, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma (capt), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Ben Cutting, Kieron Pollard, Mitchell McClenaghan, Jasprit Bumrah, Mayank Markande.

Kings XI Punjab: KL Rahul (wk), Chris Gayle, Yuvraj Singh, Manoj Tiwary, Aaron Finch, Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, R Ashwin (capt), Andrew Tye, Mohit Sharma, Ankit Rajpoot.