IPL 2022: Match 56– Predicted Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XI vs Mumbai Indians

KKR lost by 75 runs in their last fixture.

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Kolkata Knight Riders
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Kolkata Knight Riders. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have four wins in 11 league matches and are placed 8th in the IPL 2022 points table. The team can have an outside chance of qualification for the playoffs if they win their remaining league fixtures. In the last game, they were handed their biggest loss of 75 runs by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

After being a little off-radar to concede 176, KKR were disappointing with their batting performance, wherein they perished for 101 against LSG. In their next league fixture, they will be up against the challenge of Mumbai Indians (MI) at DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai. For this game, the team is expected to include the likes of Venkatesh Iyer and Pat Cummins in the line-up.

Here’s a look at the Kolkata Knight Riders’ predicted XI against MI:

Openers: Venkatesh Iyer and Baba Indrajith

One of the key reasons for the team’s failure has been the inefficiency of their openers to provide a good start. The team has tried different combinations but has not gotten the desired results. Even experienced players like Aaron Finch and Ajinkya Rahane have failed to perform well.

In this fixture, Kolkata Knight Riders are expected to bring back Venkatesh Iyer and put him in the opening slot. Although he has garnered only 132 runs in nine appearances at an average of 16.50, he can be called back again to fill the boots of Finch, who has been quite ordinary.

The proven performer in the domestic circuit, Baba Indrajith has failed to grab his opportunity but is expected to retain his place in the team due to his wicket-keeping abilities. In three matches, he has scored only 21 runs at a strike rate of 70 and needs to step up and get a much-needed flourish in the powerplay overs for KKR.

Middle Order: Shreyas Iyer (c), Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh

The middle-order has been rather inconsistent with their performances this season, which has paved way for the team’s average performances, and are nearly out of the race for the playoffs. They have many changes in the middle-order as well, which has kept most batters insecure and short of confidence.

Captain Shreyas Iyer has scored 330 runs in 11 innings at an average of 33 but has not looked at his best. On most occasions, he has failed to convert starts into a big score. In his last innings, he was dismissed for six but he will look to get back to his proper form.

The left-handed batter Nitish Rana has been inconsistent with his contribution as well and has 250 runs in 11 games. On the other hand, youngster Rinku Singh has been impressive since his inclusion into the side.

All-rounders: Andre Russell and Sunil Narine

The Caribbean players, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine have been one of the key performers of the Knight Riders team for the last few years and were two of the four retained players. Although they have not delivered quite well this season, they will be valuable with contributions in both departments.

Russell has garnered 272 runs in 11 matches and has scalped 12 wickets, and is certainly in good form. In the last outing, he returned figures of 2/22 and contributed 45 off 19 balls and will look to continue the same form.

On the other hand, Narine has been disappointing with his batting performance, but the knock of 22 from 12 balls in the last game would keep him upbeat ahead of this fixture. In eight league matches, he has picked up a total of 11 wickets and scored 49 runs.

Bowlers: Anukul Roy, Pat Cummins, Tim Southee, Harshit Rana

In this game, the team can opt to play with two experienced overseas pacers, to restrict the opposition. The Aussie pacer Pat Cummins has given runs at an expensive rate but can earn a call-up in this game. In four matches, he has picked up four wickets at an economy of 12 and has also scored 63 runs.

The spinner Anukul Roy has picked up a wicket at an economy of 7.83 and is expected to retain his place. Along with him, Harshit Rana can also maintain his place and has the same wickets as the spinner but at a higher economy of 10.20.

The Kiwi pacer Tim Southee has been costly on a few occasions, but has consistently picked wickets. In six appearances, he has scalped a total of 11 wickets at an economy of 7.71.

KKR’s predicted playing XI for MI’s clash: Baba Indrajith (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Anukul Roy, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins, Tim Southee, Harshit Rana

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