KKR vs MI in IPL 2021: Onus on Eoin Morgan’s Kolkata as he takes Rohit Sharma and Co and seeks to solve the Mumbai Indians puzzle at Chepauk?
KKR vs MI in IPL 2021: Preview –
Fresh from a clinical finish against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Eoin Morgan’s Kolkata Knight Riders will look to solve the Mumbai puzzle in their second IPL match at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday. KKR were a completely different unit, in the way in which they thumped David Warner’s SRH by 10 runs in their campaign opener on Sunday.
Be it the aggression shown by the top-order or the explosive finish by Dinesh Karthik, KKR’s displayed a fearless approach under skipper Eoin Morgan.
Morgan’s intent was evident right at the toss when he chose to leave out their most-trusted lieutenant, Sunil Narine.
However, they now have a task cut out. Mumbai is still the best team on paper. The five times champions are heavily packed with power-hitters like Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard. Add MI’s lethal death bowling unit of Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult.
KKR vs MI in IPL 2021: Who has the edge?
If individual records and squad strength are to be considered, the match between KKR and MI might seem to be a nail-biter. But it hasn’t been the case. In 28 matches so far in the IPL, MI have always dominated KKR, winning 21 of the games to KKR’s 6 with the other one producing no result.
|
Matches Played |
28 |
|
MI Won |
21 |
|
KKR Won |
6 |
|
No Result |
1 |
KKR vs MI in IPL 2021: How will Kolkata try to get the better of Mumbai?
The left-right opening combination of Nitish Rana and Shubman Gill started to attack right from the first ball, clearly indicating that the new approach had Morgan’s success mantra written all over it.
Boasting of a solid middle-order in Andre Russell, Karthik and Morgan, 2020 was a season of promise for KKR but some rudderless planning did not help their cause.
This time KKR have further bolstered their middle-order by adding Bangladesh superstar Shakib Al Hasan, while Morgan, in his full season as skipper, gives a new dimension to the side.
Rana’s deft wrist work and brute power was on full display on Sunday and it ensured that they stayed ahead despite Rashid Khan’s twin blows in the form of Gill and Russell.
After Rana’s 56-ball 80, it was underfire Karthik who hit an unbeaten 22-run cameo from nine balls to propel KKR to a winning total of 187 for 6.
And KKR would look to come out all guns blazing against the five-time champions on Tuesday. They have won just once in their last 12 games against MI, and have an overall lopsided 6-21 head-to-head record.
But eventually it will all boil down to battle of wits between Morgan and Rohit Sharma, under whose captaincy MI has won a record fifth IPL title last season in UAE.
MI will pose real challenge for KKR as the title hoders would be desperate to secure their first win of the season after their two-wicket loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL opener on Friday.
KRR found it easy against SRH bowlers, which lacked firepower but in Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult, MI attack will be a completely different proposition.
Gill’s struggle to bat at T20 pace has been a concern for KKR and it will be interesting to see the young opener’s approach against the finest in the business.