Defending Champion Mumbai Indians Vs Kolkata Knight Riders starts the IPL 7 edition as KKR is again playing the first game of the edition. In IPL 2013 they defeated Delhi Daredevils at home. But against MI, whatever be the team strength of these teams the poor record can break their hopes. MI vs KKR provides the most one-sided record in 6 editions of IPL between any two teams. MI has won 10 times, while KKR managed to defeat them only twice. Can KKR pose a fresh challenge?
History
Mumbai Indians have dominated Kolkata Knight Riders with 10 wins. KKR has won 2 matches only winning one in 2010 and other in 2012.
Head-to-Head: MI 10, 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
2013
- MI won by 5 wkts, MOM: Dwayn Smith
MI won by 65 runs, MOM: Tendulkar
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
MI is the winner, while KKR got back to their poor performances.
MIs Fixture and Results in 2013
KKRs Fixture and Results in 2013
Overall Performance
Mumbai Indians have the best team record, after CSK with 56 Wins, 39 Losses, 1 NR against Rajasthan Royals in 2009. KKR on the other hand has 42 wins and lost 46 with 3 no results, one each against DD, CSK and DC.
Team Comparison
Michael Hussey will be the fourth Grand Old player to be playing for Mumbai Indians. After Sanath Jayasuriya, Tendulkar and Ponting he will be the fourth notable prominent oldie to represent the team. He has been a key player in the success of CSK, and MI will hope to get a stable opener with Hussey in the team. Also, after Maxwell in 2013, MI has again roped in another sensational player Corey Anderson. But will he meet the least-used fate of Maxwell is to be seen this season.
The five pillars of MI, Rohit Sharma, Malinga, Harbhajan, Pollard, and Rayudu are in good shape and form too. Santokie has impressed in T20 World Cup, and may provide the winning edge if selected. But overall, in the absence of Dinesh Karthik, the responsibility of battting is completely on Rohit Sharma and Michael Hussey. Pollard and Rayudu can provide the T20 punch. Batting does look shaky. They can gather some confidence from
Team Performance in 2013.
KKR on the other hand does not have a strong
Team Performance of 2013 to feel motivated. But, they do have a new looking team. Gambhir and Narine were retained and will be again leading the batting and bowling units. Kallis, with full dedication to IPL at present, can be the decisive factor despite being as old as Michael Hussey. They were successful in buying back their other players. But, they left everyone baffled by selection of Yusuf Pathan who has shown no sign of success with them. One player who could have been a game changer was never used properly by KKR, and still they bought him back. Doeschate must be left wondering what can he do to get selected, more so when he warmed the bench despite others failing.
Chris Lynn can turn out to be the special T20 factor that KKR was waiting for, provided he gets going. Shakib Al Hasan is also in tremendous form and probably in this season can turn out to be their ace player. With so much all round resources available, Gambhir’s captaincy and team selection may decide the season for them considering how they play against MI today. They have one of the best bowling unit of IPL with the likes of Morne Morkel, Vinay Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins and Piyush Chawla, to name few. But will the captain be able to place the best XI forward? He failed badly in 2013 for sure, as a captain.
Verdict
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians inaugurates IPL 2014, at UAE. Mumbai Indians is the defending champion, while KKR had another forgettable season in 2013. Being the defending champion they played the first game of IPL 2013 and emerged winner at home against Delhi Daredevils. Mumbai Indians will fight against the odds as Chennai Super Kings is the only team whose form did not dip after winning the tournament. All the other winners have performed very badly in the next tournament. Between the two teams at an alien venue, despite odds Mumbai Indians certainly appear to have an edge.
Leave a Reply