Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah of Mumbai Indians celebrate the wicket of Eoin Morgan of Kolkata Knight Riders.
Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah of Mumbai Indians celebrate the wicket of Eoin Morgan of Kolkata Knight Riders. Image Credit: Sportzpics for BCCI
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Abu Dhabi: Two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders, the only team to have not played a match so far, will be keen to get off to a winning start against holders Mumbai Indians at the UAE capital’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium today. Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai brigade, meanwhile, will be smarting under the first match loss to Chennai Super Kings and will want to come hard against Dinesh Karthik’s men – who are expected to have some first match jitters. Last season, they missed the play-offs by a narrow margin – Sunrisers Hyderabad had same points as them but progressed on the basis of a better net run-rate.

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With the Abu Dhabi wicket offering a tinge of grass in the first two matches, the match may see a speed duel between KKR’s Australian tearaway Pat Cummins and New Zealander Trent Boult of MI.

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Mumbai Indians players celebrate the wicket of Andre Russell of Kolkata Knight Riders.
Mumbai Indians players celebrate the wicket of Andre Russell of Kolkata Knight Riders. Image Credit: Sportzpics for BCCI
James Pattinson of Mumbai Indians celebrates the wicket of Sunil Narine of Kolkata Knight Riders.
James Pattinson of Mumbai Indians celebrates the wicket of Sunil Narine of Kolkata Knight Riders. Image Credit: Sportzpics for BCCI
Mumbai Indians players celebrate the wicket of Shubman Gill of Kolkata Knight Riders.
Mumbai Indians players celebrate the wicket of Shubman Gill of Kolkata Knight Riders. Image Credit: Sportzpics for BCCI

Kolkata can overhaul the Mumbai target

Mumbai Indians have a good total on the board. Is 195 good enough stop the Kolkata Knight Riders? No. Not really. The pitch is playing true. Kolkata have the batsmen to do it, but it will depend on a good start. And if Mumbai can grab a couple of early wickets, that could derail the Kolkata chase.

Mumbai had a brilliant start despite losing Quinton de Kock early. Captain Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav unleashed an array of breathtaking strokes to push Kolkata Knight Riders on the backfoot. But after Yadav’s exit, Mumbai struggled in the middle overs to keep the runs ticking. Yet they had enough wickets in hand and a total of over 200 looked quite possible.

Rohit Sharma’s exit, followed Hardik Pandya’s hit wicket dismissal at the death overs hurt them. Keiron Pollard and Krunal Pandya couldn’t cash in in the last over and they finished at 195 for five. A target of 200 would have been tough. Five less, will it matter? It may.

Hardik Pandya of Mumbai Indians plays a shot.
Hardik Pandya of Mumbai Indians plays a shot. Image Credit: Sportzpics for BCCI
Rohit Sharma, captain of Mumbai Indians, hits a six.
Rohit Sharma, captain of Mumbai Indians, hits a six. Image Credit: Sportzpics for BCCI
Suryakumar Yadav of Mumbai Indians hits a six
Suryakumar Yadav of Mumbai Indians hits a six. Image Credit: Sportzpics for BCCI
Kolkata Knight Riders players celebrate the wicket of Quinton de Kock of Mumbai Indians.
Kolkata Knight Riders players celebrate the wicket of Quinton de Kock of Mumbai Indians. Image Credit: Sportzpics for BCCI
Mumbai Indians openers Rohit Sharma (right) and Quinton de Kock
Mumbai Indians openers Rohit Sharma (right) and Quinton de Kock arrive on the ground. Image Credit: Sportzpics for BCCI
Rohit Sharma, captain of Mumbai Indians, and Dinesh Karthik, Kolkata Knight Riders skipper, during the toss.
Rohit Sharma, captain of Mumbai Indians, and Dinesh Karthik, Kolkata Knight Riders skipper, during the toss. Image Credit: Sportzpics for BCCI
Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi
General view of the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, before the match. Image Credit: Sportzpics for bcci

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