What goes up must come down. This saying seems to have caught up with Mumbai Indians in the ongoing Indian Premier League. Sitting pretty at the top of the table at one stage with 16 points from 10 matches, the Sachin Tendulkar-led side slumped to the fourth position, suffering a stunning hat-trick of defeats and now they face home favourites Kolkata Knight Riders in the last league clash here at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.
A victory over Mumbai Indians for Kolkata Knight Riders would enable them occupy the second place in the table and brighten their chances for a berth in the final. Led by Gautam Gambhir, KKR have been consistent in their performance so far. A formidable spin-attack has proved to be their main strength. The spin trio of Iqbal Abdulla (15 wickets from 13 matches), Shakib Al-Hasan (9/5) and Yusuf Pathan (13/13) have been giving match-winning performances.
KKR have also proved themselves in the batting department. Jacques Kallis, skipper Gautam Gambhir, local boy Manoj Tiwary have lived up to the expectations with the willow. Only Yusuf Pathan needs to justify his reputation as big-hitting all-rounder. Home conditions, especially the slow and low Eden track and a passionate home crowd is sure to provide added advantage to Gauti and his team.
Mumbai will depend mainly on Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu and bowling spearhead Lasith Malinga. Though they have big-hitting Keiron Pollard in their rank, it is doubtful whether he would be successful on this track.
The main problem for Mumbai Indians has been the middle-order, which has failed to fire once the top run-getters — Tendulkar, Ambati Rayudu and Rohit Sharma — have been sent to pavilion. “There will be some changes, because its a different surface which requires different planning,” Sachin Tendulkar has already expressed his concern.
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A victory over Mumbai Indians for Kolkata Knight Riders would enable them occupy the second place in the table and brighten their chances for a berth in the final. Led by Gautam Gambhir, KKR have been consistent in their performance so far. A formidable spin-attack has proved to be their main strength. The spin trio of Iqbal Abdulla (15 wickets from 13 matches), Shakib Al-Hasan (9/5) and Yusuf Pathan (13/13) have been giving match-winning performances.
KKR have also proved themselves in the batting department. Jacques Kallis, skipper Gautam Gambhir, local boy Manoj Tiwary have lived up to the expectations with the willow. Only Yusuf Pathan needs to justify his reputation as big-hitting all-rounder. Home conditions, especially the slow and low Eden track and a passionate home crowd is sure to provide added advantage to Gauti and his team.
Mumbai will depend mainly on Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu and bowling spearhead Lasith Malinga. Though they have big-hitting Keiron Pollard in their rank, it is doubtful whether he would be successful on this track.
The main problem for Mumbai Indians has been the middle-order, which has failed to fire once the top run-getters — Tendulkar, Ambati Rayudu and Rohit Sharma — have been sent to pavilion. “There will be some changes, because its a different surface which requires different planning,” Sachin Tendulkar has already expressed his concern.
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