MI vs KXIP Match 38 Preview! Who will rise ?

1st May Mumbai Indians vs kings 11 xi Punjab Full match Highlights

Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab have something in common. Both stand 3rd in the points table. But, one from the first and another from the last. Agreed that MI has played one game more KXIP, but still MI have been more consistent and rounded in all parts of game. With KKR and RR dislodged them from the top position by playing real good cricket, they also must be looking to give their best to regain the spot.

This match will be key having for MI so as to how they start from here for 3 matches lined up for this week. A win would give them the confidence to probably even make it for top 4 by the end of the week itself. MI will should be happy playing at home but would definitely tried to get the triple trouble out to pavillion soon as they might take away the match like how double trouble in Jayawardene and Mcullum from KTK did.

KXIP who looked in excellent touch till the game in Delhi, had a long break there after and looked distant from their best on the Eden Garden’s pitch. They will like to take a win from here too. For two of youngsters from Mumbai in their team in Paul Valthathy who has shown promise and Abhisehek Nayar who is yet to make a good start to the tournament. 27 year Valthathy who lost a possible chance to get into Indian team Suresh Raina due to an eye injury will be a more than eager to perform in Wankhede Stadium. Praveen Kumar and Ryan Harris have to bend their back in this match as just getting top wickets wont guarantee that Mi innings will be off-track. Not much has to be told about three attacking top batsman of Punjab as they can take matches away if even one of them gets going.

MI come into this match facing a defeat against Both and RR. They were all out for meager 94, but this pitch is not even the one bit closer to one played against RR. Learning their mistakes they should play leg spinner Piyush Chawla carefully. Mumbai’s batting has been tested with Sachin and Rayudu at top, middle ordered Rohit and Symonds doing the trick in final overs. While Pollard yet to really show the promise of what he can do, facing just 18 balls in 4 innings. Not to forget that they have been loosing quick wickets at the top but their middle order has been guarding them. Malinga will be the biggest weapon for MI with other bowlers weaving around him.

It will be interesting to see if Sachin will attack Piyush Chawla, having a history of getting Sachin out in domestic matches few times.

Malinga’s encounter with attacking Young Paul Valthathy is one more interesting encounter to look at.