The 60th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 features Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on Mumbai Indians (MI) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata tonight at 7:30 PM IST.
KKR enter the contest riding on a three-match winning streak and currently lead the league table with eight wins from eleven matches. MI, on the other hand, come into the match after a convincing victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) but remain languished in the ninth position with just four wins from twelve outings.
KKR will be aiming for a win that would not only secure a double over MI but also make them the first team to qualify for the playoffs. Victory would also solidify their position atop the points table.
The clash presents a story of contrasting fortunes, especially regarding the opening partnerships. KKR’s explosive duo of Phil Salt and Sunil Narine have been a revelation, amassing a whopping 548 runs at a staggering 180.86 strike rate in the powerplay. This lethal pair boasts the second-highest average powerplay score this season (68).
Conversely, MI’s opening woes continue, having lost a league-high 25 wickets in the powerplay. MI’s struggle are further compounded by their out-of-form openers, Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan. Sharma’s recent scores paint a grim picture (36, 6, 8, 4, 11, 4), while Kishan hasn’t fared much better, with his highest score in the last seven outings being just 32. This is where KKR’s bowling attack, featuring the spin wizard Narine, who has dismissed Sharma a staggering 10 times in his career, could prove decisive. Additionally, Sharma’s vulnerability to left-arm pace suggests Mitchell Starc could be another potent weapon for KKR.
Beyond the consistent duo of Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, MI’s batting has been plagued by inconsistency. While Andre Russell has dismissed the dangerous Suryakumar thrice in 26 deliveries, including their last encounter, KKR will be keen to exploit this weakness and restrict Mr 360 who scored a century in his last match against SRH.
KKR’s bowling attack has been firing on all cylinders. Spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Narine have been leading the charge, while the pace attack, featuring Harshit Rana, Russell, and Starc, has functioned beautifully as a unit.
For MI, only Jasprit Bumrah features among the IPL’s top 15 wicket-takers. He has bowled the most dot balls (139) and boasts the most economical spell (6.2) in the tournament. Captain Hardik Pandya found some rhythm in the last match, and after a disappointing season, the all-rounder will be looking to contribute significantly with both bat and ball in the remaining matches.
Head-to-Head:
MI hold a dominant head-to-head record against KKR (23 wins to 10) and will look to recreate their past success at Eden Gardens.
Where-to-Watch:
OTT: JioCinema