IPL 2023: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Pitch Report

In the 22nd game of the ongoing IPL 2023, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders will lock horns at the Wankhede Stadium on April 16. Talking about both teams, KKR has played four games, won two, and lost as many. Their last games have been entertaining for the fans with Rinku Singh snatching victory from defending champs, Gujarat Titans. In the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, they fought well despite everything going against them.

On the other hand, MI managed to break their two-match losing streak against Delhi Capitals, who are yet to do so. This is a better performance from the five-time winners given how they fared last year, Pun Intended. Meanwhile, both teams will be up against each other in the first game of the doubleheader on April 16. Let’s have a look at what fans can look forward to.

Head to Head

Talking about H2H between both teams, India’s financial capital-based side has heavily dominated the Knight Riders. From 2008 to 2022, they played each other 31 times, out of which 22 won by MI and the rest by Kolkata. The two-time champions would look to change the tide. Not to forget, the last two games between the two teams in the 2022 season were won by the Purple Brigade.

Possible Playing XI and Impact Subs

Mumbai Indians: – Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nehal Wadhera, Piyush Chawla, Arshad Khan, Jason Behrendorff, Hrithik Shokeen

Impact Subs:- Riley Meredith, Kumar Kartikeya, Vishnu Vinod, Arjun Tendulkar, Akash Madhwal

Kolkata Knight Riders:- Nitish Rana (c) Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Jason Roy, Narayana Jagadeeshan, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Shardul Thakur, Suyash Sharma, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy, Umesh Yadav

Impact Subs:- Venkatesh Iyer, Anukul Roy, Vaibhav Arora, Sunil Narine, Harshit Rana

Pitch Report

Talking about the Wankhede surface is traditionally a supporting wicket for bowlers with the kind of bounce it provides. Last month, India vs Australia ODI game saw pacers from both teams having a ball during the day-night game. However, the temperatures have raised in Mumbai and with this being a day game, it is quite possible that the spinner might get some purchase in the first innings. The wicket might settle down in the second innings.