MI vs KKR: Mumbai Indians' (MI) Predicted Playing XI Against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) - IPL 2021 Match 34

MI vs KKR: Mumbai Indians’ (MI) Predicted Playing XI Against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – IPL 2021 Match 34. Mumbai will play their ninth match of IPL 2021 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Thursday. They are coming into the game on the back of a 20-run defeat at the hands of Chennai Super Kings.

With that defeat, they find themselves at fourth position with four wins in 8 matches. They are left with 6 games and every game from here on will be crucial for them.

Ahead of their next game against KKR, they would be desperate to claim their fifth win of this season. On that note, we look at their predicted playing eleven for the highly-anticipated clash.

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MI vs KKR: Mumbai Indians’ (MI) Predicted Playing XI Against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – IPL 2021 Match 34

Openers: Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock

Rohit was MI’s highest run-scorer during the first leg of the tournament. His inclusion will bolster their batting department. Quinton de Kock, on the other hand, is in sensational form with the bat. He looked dangerous for his 12-ball 17 in the last game against CSK but unfortunately got out leg-before off Deepak Chahar. He would be aiming to produce a big knock on Thursday.

Middle-Order: Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya

Both Suyakumar Yadav (3 off 7) and Ishan Kishan (11 off 10) made forgettable returns in the last game against CSK. The duo was sensational last season but haven’t been able to replicate those performances in IPL 2021. With the tournament moving to UAE, it will be interesting to see if the duo could turn the fortunes around in the upcoming matches.

Hardik Pandya had a slight niggle and therefore was ruled out of the last game against CSK. He should be back in the side for the game against KKR. It will be interesting to see whether he plays as a special batsman or an all-rounder.

All-rounders: Kieron Pollard and Krunal Pandya

Mumbai Indians’ regular members, Kieron Pollard and Krunal Pandya should retain their spots in the playing XI. Both didn’t contribute a lot in either department against CSK. Pollard scored 15 off 14, while Krunal managed just 4 runs off 5 balls. Krunal Pandya gave 27 runs in his two overs with the ball. Given the latter’s performance in the game, he might sit out on Thursday but the chances are highly unlikely.

Bowlers: Rahul Chahar, Adam Milne, Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah

Rahul Chahar has had a sensational season so far. He bowled at good areas in the last game and gave away only 22 runs in his four overs.

Adam Milne and Trent Boult opened the attack for Mumbai Indians in the last game and exhibited a great display of fast bowling. The duo picked 4 wickets combined for 24 runs in the first six overs. Boult, however, went for 24 runs in his final over.

Jasprit Bumrah will be the third seamer in the side. He is likely to bowl in the middle and the death overs. Bumrah picked 2 for 33 in 4 overs in the last game against CSK.