For the first time in the ongoing IPL-IV, Mumbai Indians has its back to the wall, while taking on a resurgent Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens in the final league match of the tournament.
Mumbai Indians and Knight Riders have 16 points from 13 matches, with the latter ahead on net run-rate. Three losses in the last three games have put MI in a spot of great bother.
Baffling
MI's sudden loss of form is baffling. Having played brilliant cricket for most part of the tournament, the Sachin Tendulkar-led side has gradually slipped to a new low — the 10-wicket defeat at the hands of Rajasthan Royals being its worst this season.
MI's discomfiture began with the loss to Kings XI Punjab. Yet, MI, with so much of talent at its disposal, cannot be written off. One good game will be enough for it to regain momentum.
Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga is still a dangerous bowler with his slingshot action. He has 27 scalps and the purple cap, while his teammate Munaf Patel is the next best with 17 wickets. MI's problem area seems to be batting.
The top order has been too cautious and has failed to make use of the first six overs when the field restrictions are in place.
Now that the team has found itself in a corner, the team management has to come up with a surprise plan for Knight Riders. MI can think of promoting big-hitters like Kieron Pollard to set the pace.
Tendulkar at best is steady, but not devastating. Ambati Rayudu's failure in the top order has been one of the main reasons for the team's lack of runs.
Rohit Sharma's terrific form has been the only silver lining in the team's three-in-a-row defeat. Sharma is a class batsman and plays with grace and poise. His innings will be key to MI's success against KKR.
Home advantage
KKR has done well of late and will like to carry forward the momentum, especially at home in front of an expected sell-out crowd. A finger injury to Jacques Kallis did not allow the South African to bat against Pune Warriors in the last game. The opener has recovered and is expected to play on the morrow.
The Gautam Gambhir-led side has hit form at the right time. The team's spin attack has done well, especially the young left-armer Iqbal Abdulla. Packed with all-rounders, Gambhir has options to bank upon and, like always, he will like to chase on winning the toss.
The best part, though, is that the teams take the field knowing what the equations are. That itself is a big advantage.
