IPL 2017: Mumbai Indians v Kings XI Punjab, Game 51– Match Result Predictions

Mumbai Indians have easily been the most dominant side in IPL 10 so far and after a loss at the hands of defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad, the two-time champions will be eager to get back to winning ways when they face the Kings XI Punjab tomorrow at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. They have played some exceptional brand of cricket over the past month and hence they are standing at the top of the points table.

Their current opening duo of Lendl Simmons and Parthiv Patel have batted well together in a couple of matches after Jos Buttler left for national duties. Nitish Rana scored heavily during the first half of the tournament but off late the southpaw has struggled to make big runs. Kieron Pollard has shown some great form with the bat and will look to carry on his good touch.

Captain Rohit Sharma’s return to form will be great signs for Mumbai but the absence of Krunal Pandya has pegged them back especially in the batting department. While Karn Sharma has done a reasonable job with the ball in the hand but unlike Pandya, he hasn’t contributed with the bat on a consistent basis which hasn’t helped Mumbai.

The bowling department has been bolstered by Malinga’s return to form while Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell McCleneghan has been brilliant with both new and the old ball. On the other hand, it will be a pretty difficult job for the Kings XI Punjab to out stage the home team especially in front of a packed Wankhede Stadium. They have somehow managed to keep themselves in contention for the playoffs with a win against the Knight Riders yesterday.

The absence of Hashi Amla at the top of the order will definitely affect their combination but Martin Guptill has been impressive but will look to be more consistent. All-rounder Axar Patel has been the standout player for Punjab and will look to continue his prowess with both bat and the ball. Glenn Maxwell has regained his lost touch in the last couple of matches and will look to continue his good run in the two must win matches.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:                   

Scenario 1: MI will win the toss

Toss Prediction: MI will choose to bowl

First innings prediction: 165-170

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

Scenario 2: KXIP will win the toss

Toss Prediction: KXIP choose to bowl

First innings Prediction: 180-190

2nd innings Prediction: MI will win by 5-8 runs

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches –19, MI Won – 10, KXIP Won – 9

Mumbai have a 10-9 advantage in the head to head department against Punjab. In the earlier game between the two sides, MI won the clash comprehensively by 8 wickets. They continued their good run until the defending champions halted their winning streak.

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Team Combination

Mumbai Indians

There is no news on the condition of Krunal Pandya. If he is available, the southpaw will definitely make a return at Karn Sharma’s expense. Apart from that, the XI is expected to remain the same from the previous encounter.

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

Kings XI Punjab

After a hard fought win against the KKR, Punjab is unlikely to tinker with their winning combination. Their bowlers have been remarkable in the last few matches and will look to continue their good work.

Predicted XI:  Manan Vohra, Martin Guptill, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell (c), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Axar Patel, Rahul Tewatia, Matt Henry, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Swapnil Singh

Given MI’s dominant run in the tournament, Mumbai will definitely start as favourites but you can’t rule out the prospect of a Punjab victory

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

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