IPL 2024: MI vs KKR Match 51 – Top 3 player battles to watch out for

Mumbai Indians. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

Mumbai Indians (MI) are gearing up for a crucial match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024). The five-time champions are currently in dire straits, having won just three out of ten matches and placed second last in the points table. They will need some miraculous turnaround to feature in the playoffs.

KKR, on the other hand, have had a strong campaign so far, resulting in the two-time winners occupying the second spot in the standings with six wins from nine matches. One more victory will further cement their place in the last four and that will be Shreyas Iyer and his team’s main objective when they take the field at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday (May 3).

This is the first time MI are facing KKR this season, but the two formidable units have crossed paths 32 times in league history. MI have the upper hand in their head-to-head record, having enjoyed victory in 23 of their meetings with KKR, who have won nine times. KKR are favourites this time, but MI are known for their comebacks and we might witness a riveting contest in financial capital.

Here are the top three player battles to watch out for in IPL 2024: MI vs KKR, Match 51:

3. Rohit Sharma versus Mitchell Starc

Rohit Sharma. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

Rohit Sharma has had a decent start to the 2024 season but seems to have lost his touch in the last three matches. The veteran opener, who has been giving a blazing start for MI in the powerplay, failed to touch the 10-run mark in the last three outings. With the T20 World Cup around the corner, he will be desperate to break this bad streak.

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Interestingly, the key match-up against Rohit will be another out-of-form star, Mitchell Starc. The Australian pacer has been getting thrashed by everyone so far this season and will be aiming to have an effective outing at Wankhede. The Indian skipper is vulnerable to left-arm pacers and Starc will come out with some menacing swing deliveries against him. Notably, Starc has dismissed Rohit four times in international cricket.

2. Phil Salt versus Jasprit Bumrah 

Jasprit Bumrah. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

The opening pair of Phil Salt and Sunil Narine are KKR’s biggest threat to the opposition. Salt is currently the sixth-leading run scorer in the tournament with nearly 400 runs at a staggering strike rate of 180.65. Once the rhythm is found, the Englishman will be hard to stop and that will be something MI cannot afford.

Also Read: Mumbai Indians’ strongest predicted playing XI against Kolkata Knight Riders

Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah will be relied upon by his teammates to get rid of this danger. The right-arm pacer has been in tremendous form so far, picking up 14 wickets in 10 matches and sitting atop the list of leading wicket-takers. Let’s wait and see who will win this intriguing battle.

1. Suryakumar Yadav versus Varun Chakravarthy

Surya Kumar Yadav. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

Suryakumar Yadav‘s inconsistency has been one of the main reasons behind MI’s downfall this season. After initially missing a few matches due to injury, he showed promising signs upon his return. However, the right-hander managed to score only 46 runs in the last three innings. His form worries not only the MI camp but also the Indian team as the World Cup approaches.

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Meanwhile, Suryakumar has a good record at the Wankhede Stadium and will look to do well in the upcoming match. But he will face a serious challenge from mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy in the middle overs. The KKR spinner has been in fine form and has also dismissed the MI batter once in their battle while conceding just 26 runs off 25 balls.