IPL 2017: Kings XI Punjab v Mumbai Indians, Game 22– Match Result Predictions

Mumbai Indians will be high on confidence after getting their IPL 10 campaign off to a sensational start. They have already won 4 out of the 5 matches and looks set to win their 5th on a trot against Kings XI Punjab tomorrow at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. It has been a thoroughly professional performance by the two-time champions and they will definitely look to keep their winning run going.

The middle order has looked pretty resolute out in the middle and has bailed them out of precarious situations. Especially young southpaw Nitish Rana has looked a class apart and is contention for the Orange Cup. He has shown brilliant maturity and has played according to the situation.

The big man from Caribbean Kieron Pollard also roared back to form with a match-winning 70 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore after being reduced to 7/4 at one stage. He followed it up with another vital innings the other day which will surely keep him in good stead ahead of the tie against Kings XI Punjab.

Captain Rohit Sharma will be relieved by the fact that he got back to some run-scoring form with a well composed 40 against the Gujarat Lions the other day. The Pandya brothers have been real assets to MI given their exceptional all-round capabilities.

The bowling line-up has gone for runs but given their experience, it won’t be too difficult for them to get back into their rhythm.

The form of Lasith Malinga will be worrying signs for Rohit and Co but given his abilities, it might be just a matter of time before the slinga gets his toe crushing Yorkers right on a consistent basis. O the other hand Kings XI Punjab will be a worried lot after losing their last 3 encounters on a bounce. They started off pretty well with two consecutive victories but couldn’t carry on their momentum in the next 3 games.

In the batting department captain Glenn Maxwell looked good in the opening two matches but since then his form has taken a downward slide. Manan Vohra scored a magnificent 95 against SRH the other day which went in vain. He didn’t get enough support and eventually fell in the dying stages of the match.

The bowling department looks pretty settled with both pacers and spinners bagging good returns. Medium pacer Mohit Sharma and left-arm spinner Axar Patel was the pick of the Punjab bowlers bagging two wickets each. Ishant Sharma who was brought in as a replacement for Murali Vijay did pretty well the other day, conceding only 23 runs in his 4 overs. With nearly 16 hours left for the 22nd match of the tournament to commence let us have a look at the match predictions for tomorrow.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: MI will win the toss

Toss Prediction: MI choose to bowl

First innings prediction: 155-160

2nd innings Prediction: MI will win by 7 wickets (with 1.4 overs to spare)

Scenario 2: KXIP will win the toss

Toss Prediction: KXIP choose to bowl

First innings Prediction: 185-190

2nd innings Prediction: MI will win by 26 runs

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches – 18, MI Won – 9, KXIP Won – 9

In last 9 matches: Total Matches- 9, MI Won- 6, KXIP Won- 3

Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab have a very even record when it comes to head to head. Both teams have returned triumphant on 9 occasions out of the 18 matches being played between the two sides but Mumbai have won 6 out of the last 9 matches. With the form Mumbai is looking in, it won’t be a surprise if Kings XI suffers yet another defeat.

Team Combinations

Kings XI Punjab

They have a lot to think about and have to get their campaign back on track if they harbour any hopes of qualifying for the playoffs. Despite their below par performances, they are unlikely to tinker with their playing XI. They have a pretty good all-round team and they will surely look for a turn in their fortunes tomorrow.

Predicted XI:  Hashim Amla, Manan Vohra, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Glenn Maxwell (c), Eoin Morgan, David Miller, Axar Patel, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, KC Cariappa, Ishant Sharma

Mumbai Indians

The two-time champions have looked arguably the best team in the tournament so far along with Kolkata Knight Riders. They have been thoroughly professional in each and every aspects of the game and will surely come all guns blazing tomorrow. Their only concern might be the opening slot but they might just persist with Parthiv Patel and Jos Buttler for another time.

Despite giving away 51 runs in his 4 overs in the previous match, Sri Lankan speedster Lasith Malinga is expected to retain his place in the side. With Mumbai winning all their last 4 encounters they are not likely to change their winning combination.

Predicted XI: Jos Buttler, Parthiv Patel (wk), Nitish Rana, Rohit Sharma (capt), Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell McClenaghan, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga

According to head to head both teams have equal chance to win tomorrow but given Mumbai Indians’ recent form, they clearly look the favourites.

Do let us know about your predictions in the comment section below.