Mumbai Indians (MI) are back at their fortress, Wankhede Stadium, after two consecutive losses in IPL 2025. They will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in what promises to be an exciting battle on March 31, 2025.
Mumbai Indians’ Struggles So Far
MI have had a tough start to their campaign, losing both their opening matches. Their team selection has raised questions, especially after dropping Vignesh Puthur despite his impressive performance against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Hardik Pandya’s batting position has also puzzled fans. Against Gujarat Titans, he came in lower than rookie Robin Minz, a move that defied logic. Moreover, MI’s bowling attack, featuring Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar, has failed to make an impact in the PowerPlay. The continued absence of Jasprit Bumrah adds to their troubles.
KKR’s Strong Start and Confidence Boost
KKR, on the other hand, come into this game with confidence after a convincing win against Rajasthan Royals. The team has a decent record against MI in recent years, winning five of their last six encounters. Their head coach, Chandrakant Pandit, and captain, Ajinkya Rahane, both know the Wankhede conditions well, which could give them an edge.
What to Expect at Wankhede?
The Wankhede Stadium is known for high-scoring games due to its red-soil pitch and small boundaries. This means fans can expect a run-fest with little impact from the toss. Mumbai Indians have a solid record at this venue and will be eager to turn things around.
Team News and Possible Playing XI
Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Injuries/Availability: Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, all players are available.
- Strategy: MI might bring back Vignesh Puthur in place of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, allowing Will Jacks to feature in the XI.
Probable XII: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton, Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Vignesh Puthur, Satyanarayana Raju.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- Injuries/Availability: No injury concerns. Sunil Narine is fully fit.
- Strategy: KKR pacers have struggled in the PowerPlay. They will need to improve, especially with Andre Russell yet to bowl this season.
Probable XII: Quinton de Kock, Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Sunil Narine, Spencer Johnson, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Angkrish Raghuvanshi.
Key Stats and Match Facts
- MI lead the head-to-head battle 23-11.
- KKR won their last match at Wankhede, ending a 12-year drought at this venue.
- Rohit Sharma has been dismissed inside the first over seven times since IPL 2022.
- MI have won 57.15% of their matches at Wankhede in the last two seasons.
- Venkatesh Iyer has played a key role in KKR’s recent success against MI, winning five out of six encounters.
Final Thoughts
The MI vs KKR clash is set to be a thrilling one. Mumbai Indians need a win to get their campaign back on track, while Kolkata Knight Riders will look to capitalize on MI’s struggles. With a batting-friendly pitch and both teams eager for victory, fans can expect a high-scoring contest.
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