IPL 2017: Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians, Game 54 - Match Result Predictions

It will be a mouth-watering contest between the two heavyweights of IPL 10 as Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders lock horns in the 54th match of the tournament at the Eden Gardens. It will be a very important match for both the teams as it will decide on which positions they finish in the points table. KKR have to win the match to harbour hopes of finishing at top 2 while Mumbai Indians will also want to finish on a winning note as well.

KKR looked the best side in the tournament in the first half but 3 losses from the last 4 matches have pushed them to a corner and now face the prospect of not finishing in the top 2. They might even bow out of the tournament if they suffer a crushing defeat tomorrow but given their reputation, it won’t be the case tomorrow.

Mumbai too have lost their last couple of matches but have already qualified for the playoffs. A win will surely help them maintain their numero uno status in the points table while a loss might jeopardise their position in the top 2. Their middle order hasn’t got going with Nitish Rana and captain Rohit Sharma not looking in the best of touch. While Rohit has managed some runs of late, Rana is going through a lean patch in the last 7 matches or so.

The bowling department has been simply exceptional with all three pacers bowling with great venom and accuracy. Their spin department also looks a class apart. Kolkata, on the other hand, have kept on experimenting at the top of the order and the ploy to go with Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn has worked wonders for them.

Their lower middle order hasn’t got enough opportunities to bat which has affected their batting. Nathan Coulter-Nile who suffered a concussion against RPS might be rested for another match ahead of the playoffs. They have a pretty settled team and will surely look to make a turnaround in their fortunes in the final group game. So with more than 12 hours to go for the 54 match of the competition to commence here we have a look at the match predictions for the evening game of tomorrow’s doubleheader.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:                   

Scenario 1: KKR will win the toss

Toss Prediction: KKR will choose to bowl

First innings prediction: 175-180

2nd innings Prediction: KKR will win by 5 wickets (with 3 deliveries to spare)

Scenario 2: MI will win the toss

Toss Prediction: MI choose to bowl

First innings Prediction: 165-175

2nd innings Prediction: MI will win by 6 wickets (with 2 overs to spare)

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches –19, KKR Won – 5, MI Won – 14

Mumbai Indians have a clear edge over KKR on the head to head department with Mumbai winning 14 of the 19 matches played between the two sides in IPL. In the earlier match in the tournament, Mumbai emerged victorious in a nail-biting thriller as Hardik Pandya ensured the hosts chased down a stiff target with a couple of deliveries to spare.

Team Combinations

Kolkata Knight Riders

Nathan Coulter-Nile might make a comeback but the KKR team management would want to rest him for the final group match to keep him fit for the all-important playoffs. They have a pretty settled core group of players and will look to get back to winning ways tomorrow.

Predicted XI: Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Colin de Grandhomme, Chris Woakes, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Ankit Rajpoot

Mumbai Indians

Despite losing the last couple of matches, MI is unlikely to tinker with their combination which has given them positive results all through the tournament. Barring Krunal Pandya who is yet to recover fully, the team boasts of some special players who have the ability to change the complexion of the match within a blink of an eye.

Predicted XI: Parthiv Patel, Lendl Simmons, Rohit Sharma, Nitish Rana, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Karn Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell McCleneghan, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah

It will be an evenly fought contest between the two sides as both teams will be pressing for a win. But given their superior record against KKR, MI will have an edge tomorrow.

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.

Note: This is purely a random call taken by the author