The 32nd Match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 will be played between the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Friday. MI is having a successful campaign with five wins in seven games. While the likes of Quinton de Kock and Suryakumar Yadav have starred in recent games, it has been their bowling attack that has done the damage for them.
On the other hand, KKR has witnessed a bumpy ride in the season so far although they wouldn’t be too unhappy with their standing in the points table. With four wins in seven games, KKR will be looking to register a win over MI to move clear of the likes of SRH and CSK. With a lot of uncertainty surrounding Sunil Narine’s availability, KKR might be looking to make some changes in their XI with their combination with Shubman Gill and Nitish Rana being crucial to their fortunes.
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The previous IPL 2020 game between the two sides saw Rohit Sharma score a brilliant half-century as KKR failed to muster a fight. However, KKR would be slightly optimistic of their chances this time as they have a power-packed batting attack. With two valuable points up for grabs, both teams should give their best efforts in what should be a cracking encounter in Abu Dhabi.
As the two sides prepare for a thrilling encounter, here’s a look at three key player battles to keep an eye on.
#1. Jasprit Bumrah vs Eoin Morgan
While Jasprit Bumrah for sure has had the better IPL 2020 so far, but Eoin Morgan isn’t having a bad outing as well. And now as he is has become the captain of the team, things can become easier for him. Morgan has been hot and cold in IPL 2020. He has 175 runs from seven matches at a strike rate of 129.62. Bumrah was a little underboiled when IPL 2020 got off and Trent Boult filled in admirably. But India’s fast-bowling spearhead Bumrah has got better as the tournament progressed.
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He has 11 wickets from seven IPL 2020 games, at an economy of 7.92. He bowled a brilliant spell of 4/20 against the Rajasthan Royals. KKR would be hoping for big things from Morgan as they progress on their unsteady way, while MIs would love Bumrah to be firing on all cylinders as IPL 2020 is nearing towards the business end.
#2. Rohit Sharma vs Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins has been not been able to produce the performance he was expected ahead of IPL 2020. He will be optimistic to get his form back especially against MI skipper Rohit Sharma, whose sublime stroke play can ruin the bowling figures of some of the best in the business. Rohit is amongst the top run-scorers in the ongoing edition, having scored 211 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 145.52. He has been ensuring a quick start for MI and he is yet to hit the heights of his capability.
#3. Surya Kumar Yadav vs Varun Chakravarthy
Suryakumar Yadav is quite the enigma for Mumbai Indians. He holds the lowest profile, quite happy for the glitz and glamour to be on the superstars while he gets on with his job. He has amassed 233 runs from seven matches with the help of a couple of half-centuries. In IPL history, the Mumbai batsman has played 92 matches for 1,781 runs at a strike rate of 134.61.
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Varun Chakravarthy has been as consistent for KKR as he has claimed five wickets in six matches but they all have been important wickets, at critical stages, and maintained the economy is 7.45. Chakravarthy will have his task cut out against Yadav and the daunting Mumbai Indians batting.
