Mumbai Indians enjoy a very healthy winning rate over Kolkata Knight Riders. Although KKR are the defending champions and MI have failed in three attempts despite being one of the strongest side, although in the current edition KKR looks down and out while MI looks good to sail ahead, Eden Gardens pitch is waiting another victory for KKR. Poor Captaincy is a common factor in both the teams and middle order batting gives edge to MI but on slow pitch of Kolkata KKR certainly have the decisive bowling attack.
History
Mumbai Indians have dominated Kolkata Knight Riders in the last 5 editions with 8 wins. KKR has won 2 matches only winning one in 2010 and other in 2012.
Head-to-Head: MI 8, KKR 2
2008
- MI def KKR by 7 Wickets
MI def KKR by 8 Wickets
2009
- MI def KKR by 92 runs
MI def KKR by 9 Runs
2010
- MI def KKR by 7 wickets
KKR def MI def by 9 wickets
2011
- MI def KKR by 5 wkts
by 4 wickets, MOM: Munaf Patel
2012
- MI won by 27 runs, MOM: Rohit Sharma
KKR won by 32 runs, MOM: Sunil Narine
2008 Performance
In 2008, MI won 7 and lost 7 too. KKR won 6 and lost 7.
2009 Performance
In 2009, MI won 5 and lost 8, with one match abandoned. KKR won only 3 and lost remaining.
2010 Performance
In 2010 they were extremely successful winning 11 and losing only 4. KKR with 7 wins and 7 losses could not reach knockout due to less NRR>
2011 Performance
MI won 9 and lost 5, while KKR won 8 and lost 6.
2012 Performance
MI reached the Eliminator winning 10 and losing 7. KKR won the tournament winning 12, losing 5 and 1 no result against Deccan Chargers.
2013 Performance
Both are placed at the bottom of the table. MI is at 6th position with 3 wins and 3 losses in 6 matches, while defending champion KKR is in a state of bother having lost 4 of their 6 matches, winning only 2.
MIs Fixture and Results in 2013
KKRs Fixture and Results in 2013
Overall Performance
Mumbai Indians have the best team record, after CSK with 43 Wins, 33 Losses, 1 NR against Rajasthan Royals in 2009. KKR on the other hand has 38 wins and lost 40 with 3 no results, one each against DD, CSK and DC.
Team Comparison
Mumbai Indians have been a better team than Kolkata Knight Riders in 2013 edition. They have crossed 200 runs mark once, although have been bowled out below 100 runs also once. Their middle order is rocking almost all the teams. Karthik and Rohit Sharma in particular are shining, while Pollard and Rayudu are providing good helping hands at the death. Even Tendulkar has found his form with a half-century.
MI Team Performance in 2013
KKR on the other hand is struggling. Gambhir and Morgan are the only two batsmen in form. Their middle order is collapsing and probably it is time they should try Brendum McCullum and other bench strength. Kallis has the ability but he is still struggling.
KKR Team Performance in 2013
It is the bowling that makes KKR a lion at Edengs. Their twin spin of Narine and Senanayake supported by some decent bowling by Rajat Bhatia, Kallis and Balaji is a challenge for teams who are less confident on good slow pitches. MIs answer is weak as they have Johnson as most successful altongwith economical Harbhajan Singh. Malinga is yet to fire in this edition.
MI overall is a better fielding side and that may make a considerable difference in the match.
Commong Factor: Poor Captaincy
Captaincy has been bad for both of them. While Ponting is failing with bat too, Gambhir is successful with bat but his team selection is been a big question. In a season where you have only 16 games to get to the knockout in 7 matches he is yet to find his best 14 whom he can rotate. He can take the blame on himself as he has not tried the bench strength much despite 4 shocking defeats. He is refusing to bring in Brendum McCullum, rest Kallis for some time and give chances to other Indian batsmen in place of Manoj Tiwary and Yusuf Pathan.
Ponting on the other hand is yet to decide on opening slot, his place and above all the place of Pollard. He is yet to instruct his players when to start hitting as they have been waiting too long to fire. It is good for them that in the last 5 overs they have the best strike rate, but they must consider they have lost 3 games and they need more from remaining 15 overs too. Johnson’s removal was shocking in the last match and hopefully he can send Dwayn Smith to bench without delay.
Verdict
MI has good batting attack but playing against quality spin of Narine and Senanayake, with slow pace-mixed spin of Rajat Bhatia may be tough for their middle order. Few slogs of Pollard and Rayudu may take them to some good total, but then they do not have the slow effective bowling to restrict KKR batsmen. Harbhajan and Ojha may be good but not as effective as their counterparts.
Sachin, on his birthday, is the key as he can play in slow conditions much better than anyone else. Unless he does something special a win is there for KKR to encash.
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