IPL 2018: Match 34, KXIP vs MI, Preview - Refreshed Kings aim to topple the defending champions

Mumbai Indians are in a must-win situation and a loss might lead will mostly end their season effectively.

Published - 03 May 2018, 19:20 IST | Updated - 03 May 2018, 19:20 IST

4 Min Read

Match 34 of the ongoing season fo the Indian Premier League (IPL) might witness the elimination of the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI). They face the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) who are fresh after enjoying a break of seven days and would be aiming to win this game to get on a winning spree again. Holkar Stadium in Indore will host this game as KXIP will play their remaining home games at this venue. However, the ground is known to produce flat tracks which sets up for yet another thriller on Friday.

R Ashwin and his men had suffered a shock loss at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their last game as they had failed to chase down the total of around 130. Their middle order had collapsed which still remains a concern for the team. The openers KL Rahul and Chris Gayle are keeping them on top but the remaining batsmen also have to respond in different circumstances. Mumbai would look to target their weakness now and put pressure on them.

Rohit Sharma has a lot to worry about his team combination after the loss in their last game. Mumbai will be most probably eliminated if they lose this match. Though it will be still mathematically possible for them to qualify, they would want to keep their fortunes in their hands to go ahead in the tournament. A win in this encounter is much-needed for them as their gun players have to hunt in a pack to trump the Kings XI who are currently at the third position in the points table.

Toss: MI won the toss and elected to bowl first

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Suryakumar Yadav, Evin Lewis, Ishan Kishan(w), Jean-Paul Duminy, Rohit Sharma(c), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Ben Cutting, Mitchell McClenaghan, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah

Kings XI Punjab (Playing XI): Lokesh Rahul(w), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Yuvraj Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Ravichandran Ashwin(c), Axar Patel, Andrew Tye, Ankit Rajpoot, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Team Combinations

Kings XI Punjab

KXIP would look to make a few changes their line-up as they look to get their momentum back. While the top four have fared decently, the problem has been with the finishers lower down the order. Aaron Finch could get dropped for Marcus Stoinis and Yuvraj Singh should continue to sit out with Manoj Tiwary set to get another opportunity. Also, they have been boosted by the availability of Axar Patel who is now available after recovering from an injury. The remaining line-up should remain the same as they will back Mayank Agarwal for few more games.

Mumbai Indians

Evin Lewis is expected to get fit for the next game as he was missed in the top order against RCB. Ishan Kishan might also miss out after bagging yet another golden duck this season. He might need a small break which will work in his favour. Aditya Tare will come in his place and can take up the middle-order duties who also possess the finishing skills. Pollard’s misery continued in the last match and will make way for Lewis. There should not be any changes in the bowling attack which has done well so far.

Focus will be on

Chris Gayle (Kings XI Punjab)

The Universe Boss failed in the last game and was kept quiet by the bowlers of the opposition. Mumbai must have plans in place to tackle him but the big man is always least worried about all the talk around. He knows only one way to play and he would be itching to get back that Orange cap with some consistent big scores. Gayle enjoyed his holiday in the backwaters of Kerala and his ‘refreshed’ version will be even more dangerous. If he manages to get going, then the defending champions might find themselves their season ending on Friday itself.

Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians)

Rohit Sharma is going through a lean phase this season with only a couple of scores over 50. Interestingly, whenever he has scored, his team has won. He has to bat up the order and get himself in to attack in the latter half of the innings. The teams have sorted him out very easily and only champion players like him know how to come out of the rut. Expect a big knock from the skipper which increases the chances of Mumbai winning the game.