Mumbai Indians will host the Kings XI Punjab in their final at their home ground, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. It will be a must win game for both the teams as both are placed at the fifth and sixth spot in the Points Table.
If MI loses this game, then they will be out of this tournament because even after they win the next game, they will finish at 12 points which is not enough for qualification. While on the other hand, if Punjab loses and win their next game, they will finish at 14 points but seeing at their Net Run Rate, that also don’t look enough.
Both teams lost their last respective games where MI lost to RR, while KXIP suffered an embarrassing loss to RCB at a margin of 10 wickets with more than 10 overs were remaining.
Both the teams had a contrasting season where Punjab starting exceptionally well where they won five out of their first six games. While MI lost five out of their first six games. But we have reached at a point where Punjab has 12 points from 12 games and Mumbai have 10 points after playing same number of matches.
Punjab’s major issue has been their over dependency on their opening batsmen, KL Rahul and Chris Gayle where the latter has also failed in the last four matches. Also, in the last match, their one of the best bowler, Mujeeb ur Rahman was also not available. If in this match if they are able to get him back then it will be a relief to their bowling.
Mumbai Indians will look to play with the same playing XI as this team has done well despite the results. One change they would like to do is sending JP Duminy up the order as he is playing at number 8, which is a complete waste. Coming to the pitch, it is expected to remain same till the end of the game but dew will come into play, so the captain winning the toss will look to chase.