Game 5 of the IPL (Indian Premier League) features a highly successful clash between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the defending champion Mumbai Indians at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Wednesday.
The Knight Riders are finally in action this season, but they will be on the firing line immediately against a formidable Mumbai Indians team that lost their first game at IPL 2020 to CSK.
Despite having a powerful hitting unit, the Mumbai Indians were unable to capitalize on a good start and succumbed to an Ambati Rayudu special last week. They will be looking to get back on the winning track in this match, although that will be easier said than done, especially against Dinesh Karthik and Co.
One of the most imaginary teams in this competition, the Knight Riders, have made some personnel changes with Siddhesh Lad and Pat Cummins ready to wear KKR purple once again.
The two-time IPL champions have a much more balanced side this time, with Eoin Morgan adding much-needed experience to a previously fragile middle order. Not to mention, they also own two MVP award winners in Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, who are set to take on the pinch-hitting role at the top of the order alongside Shubman Gill.
With a decent bowling attack complementing an explosive hitting drive, Kolkata Knight Riders will be looking forward to a perfect start on Wednesday.
The last time these two sides met in the IPL, MI decimated KKR by nine wickets last year, a loss that cost the latter a place in the playoffs. With vengeance firmly on their minds, the Horsemen would imagine their chances in what should be a close encounter with Rohit Sharma and her men. Yet another entertaining game is at stake with both sides seeking their maiden victory at IPL 2020.
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Squads to choose from
Kolkata Knight Riders
Dinesh Karthik (C), Shivam Mavi, Tom Banton, Sandeep Warrier, Kuldeep Yadav, Eoin Morgan, Pat Cummins, Sunil Narine, Nikhil Naik, Manimaran Siddharth, Andre Russell, Lockie Ferguson, Prasidh Krishna, Shubman Gill, Nitesh Rana, Siddhesh Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Chris Green, and Rahul Tripathi.
Mumbai Indians
Rohit Sharma (C), Saurabh Tiwary, Chris Lynn, Anmolpreet Singh, Suryakumar Yadav, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Anukul Roy, Prince Balwant Rai, Sherfane Rutherford, Jasprit Bumrah, James Pattinson, Nathan Coulter-Boult-Boult-Boult-Boult Tigre, Dhawal Kulkarni, Rahul Chahar, Jayant Yadav, Mitchell McClenaghan, Quinton de Kock, Ishan Kishan, Aditya Tare, Digvijay Deshmukh and Mohsin Khan
See IPL Teams and Squads.
Predicted move 11
Kolkata Knight Riders
Sunil Narine, Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthik (C & WK), Andre Russell, Siddhesh Lad, Pat Cummins, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, and Shivam Mavi / Kamlesh Nagarkoti.
Mumbai Indians
Quinton de Kock (WK), Rohit Sharma (C), Suryakumar Yadav, Saurabh Tiwary, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, James Pattinson, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult.
Match details
Match: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians, Match 5.
Date: September 23, 2020, 7:30 pm IST.
Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
See the 2020 IPL calendar.
Launch report
The field at Sheikh Zayed Stadium was a touch on the slower side in the 2020 IPL opening match between the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings. While the ball came through well, the change of pace and an inconsistent rebounding bunt worried hitters who had to bide their time in the middle before going big.
Spinners will be crucial in the middle phase, although there is some grass on the surface that could help runners as well. Batting under the lights is relatively easy with the ball sliding over the bat nicely, so either side will be looking to chase after winning the toss.
Anything around the 160-run mark should be a competitive score, although it may not be enough considering the firepower available to both sides.
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