Abu Dhabi: After losing their last matches despite coming so close, both Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians would look lodge some points when they face each other at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (October 1) in the Indian Premier League.
While the Rajasthan Royals’ ‘Tewatia onslaught’ smashed the KXIP in a game where they dominated most of the match, Ishan Kishan’s heroics went in vain as Mumbai Indians lost against Royal Challengers Bangalore in a Super Over.
KXIP have some serious concerns to rectify in their bowling attack. Sheldon Cottrell was taken to the cleaners by the Royals batsmen in the death overs. The West Indian could be replaced by Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who was exceptional in the recently held Caribbean Premier League.
Whereas Mumbai will be anxious by the form of some of their star players like Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Quinton de Kock and Krunal Pandya as they haven’t been hit their strides yet in this season. MI will hope that these players start contributing to their squad in their IPL cause sooner rather than later.
James Pattinson went for abundant against RCB and might make way for Nathan Coulter-Nile if the latter has recovered from his injury. While there are certain players whose place in the playing XI could be in suspicion, it is unlikely that Mumbai will mend too much at this stage of the cash-rich tournament.
KXIP’s terrible bowling at the death against Rajasthan Royals will be giving the team management sleepless nights. To change things up for a little betterment, Mujeeb Ur Rahman might finally get a look-in. In that case, Ishan Porel might also play instead of Murugan Ashwin.
