Kings XI and Mumbai eye first win

Kings XI and Mumbai eye first win: Things certainly didn’t go to plan for both teams in their respective opening encounters. The focus would be to shake off those defeats and start afresh when they take field at the Wankhede stadium on Sunday. The King’s would be eager to rectify mistakes of the previous match and look to overhaul the mighty Mumbai on their home ground. Neither form nor stats suggest that it would be easy to achieve. Punjab were on track to chase the target the other day but fell well short. Irresponsible shot selection and an illogical batting order is what cost them the game. Mumbai on the other hand would be confident on their fortress to get past Punjab. The side though, has issues of their own to look into.

The lack of bite in Harbhajan and Ojha’s bowling the other day, would be a concern. They will have to come good big time for Mumbai to topple the Kings. The partnership between Rohit Sharma and Anderson was the only positive note from an otherwise dismal showing.

Team update:

Mumbai Indians-

The star signing of the season Aaron Finch would be looking to give his side a dazzling start. Rohit’s decision to open has been a positive one and he is expected to continue there. Mumbai will be hoping for the domestic players to step up. Lasith Malinga doesn’t look to have regained full fitness yet and a lot would be riding on Vinay Kumar and the promising Bumrah to deliver early strikes. All said, they love to play at home and would take some performance to go down.

Key to success – Not loosing early wickets and setting a platform for Anderson and Pollard to to go hard at the end.

Likely 11: Aaron Finch, Rohit Sharma(C), Aditya Tare(Wk), Ambati Raydu, Corey Anderson, Keiron Pollard, Harbhajan Singh, R vinay kumar, Lasith Malinga, Pragyan Ojha, Jasprit Bumrah.

Kings XI Punjab  –

George Baily was pretty candid and forthright in his admission of strategic loopholes after the previous match. He and Sanjay Bangar would be looking to make amends by letting their best players face the maximum number of overs. Vijay’s form was an encouraging sign considering he was out of the Indian limited overs side. They will also look to improve their death bowling after the special treatment that Johnson got from Faulkner the other day. Anureet Singh bowled exceedingly well both upfront and at the death. The leg spinner Karanveer went for plenty and might have to give his place to allrounder Rishi Dhawan with Maxwell giving Axar the spin bowling company.

Key to success – Major batsmen to stand up and precise bowling at the death.

Likely 11 – Virender Sehwag, Murali Vijay, Wriddhiman Saha, Glen Maxwell, David Miller, George Baily, Axar Patel, Mitchell Jhonson, Rishi Dhawan, Anureet Singh and Sandeep Sharma.

Point to Ponder: Mumbai were the only side which beat Punjab twice last year during an otherwise fabulous campaign.