The Kolkata Knight Riders have won three of their last encounters against the Mumbai Indians, that too, with big margins. Overall, Mumbai have won 10 matches out of 15 encounters and so they lock horns, it will be a battle of the equals. To stay in the hunt for the play-offs, it’s a must win game for Mumbai at the Wankhede stadium on Thursday.
However, KKR is equally determined to take the lead. The defending champions started this year’s campaign with a thumping win against the Mumbai India in the IPL opener. The match was played at the Eden Gardens and KKR had chased down a very challenging total of 168. Since that game, KKR won six matches and lost four of them, but their desire to remain as the top in the league standings has only grown.
There will be no Shah Rukh Khan, KKR’s co-owner, to cheer his team. There will be no home turf to suit their kind of attack. Still, KKR are oozing with confidence because of their recent record against Mumbai Indians, who won last two of their battle during the 2013 season. So, Mumbai are banking on their performances in last six matches this season ahead of the important clash.
Can Mumbai turn it around? They say nothing is impossible if you are focused on your goal. Similarly, Mumbai haven’t lost their sight to qualify for the play-offs while KKR are already on the threshold of entering the next stage of the IPL. It remains to be seen who takes the lead!
