IPL 2021 Match 5: KKR vs MI Preview – Team News, Stats & More

Match Details

Date: 13 April 2021

Time: 7:30 PM (IST)

Venue: Chepauk Stadium, Chennai

Live Ball-by-Ball Commentary: SportsTiger App

Preview

It is time for a blockbuster clash in IPL 2021 as in-form Kolkata Knight Riders get set to lock horns with defending champions Mumbai Indians on Tuesday. While Eoin Morgan's side is coming to this contest on the back of an emphatic win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai succumbed to a defeat at the hands of Royal Challengers Bangalore in a thrilling season-opener.

Rohit Sharma's side are known as slow-starters so the loss in the first match won't be a huge cause of concern for them. The 5-time champions have a history of bouncing back and they would be really hopeful to get their first win of the season against a KKR side, who are one of their favourite opponents. However, it won't be a walk in the park for Mumbai this time around as Kolkata are looking a much better outfit in 2021. The SRK-owned franchise produced a brilliant team performance in their opening encounter and will look to continue the same momentum as the tournament progresses.

The conditions in Chennai are very tricky, something we have seen in the first two matches here. Both the sides will be vary of the fact and can play attacking cricket right from the start, which is going to be delightful for the viewers. With some star players in action and two evenly-balanced sides, the stage is set for a certain high-voltage contest.

Team News

Kolkata Knight Riders:

There aren't any injury concerns for KKR as all the players are fit and available for this crucial encounter. While there are slight doubts over Harbhajan Singh's inclusion as he bowled only one over in the previous contest, they are still expected to go with the same playing XI.

Mumbai Indians:

The defending champions will have Quinton de Kock back for this contest who is expected to come in place of Chris Lynn. Meanwhile, Marco Jansen's impressive show on his IPL debut might ensure that he keep his place in the side ahead of Nathan Coulter-Nile.

Head to Head

Matches played: 27

Kolkata Knight Riders: 6

Mumbai Indians: 21

Key Players

Nitish Rana:

The left-handed batsman starred with the bat in KKR's opening game as he took the game away from SRH, with his brilliant 80-run knock. Opening the batting alongside Gill, the franchise would expect him to give KKR another solid start against a strong bowling line-up of Mumbai.

Jasprit Bumrah:

The fast-bowler returned on the field of cricket after a short break and looked at his absolute best once again. Registering figures of 2/26 in his 4 overs against RCB, Bumrah will be raring to come up with another solid performance against an impressive-looking Kolkata side.

Probable XI

Kolkata Knight Riders:

Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan (c), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Andre Russell, Shakib Al Hasan, Pat Cummins, Varun Chakravarthy, Harbhajan Singh, Prasidh Krishna