IPL 2025 Preview: MI vs KKR – Struggling Mumbai Seeks Revival at Home
Match 12: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders – A Battle for Momentum
Mumbai Indians (MI) are in desperate need of a turnaround as they prepare to take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 12 of IPL 2025 at the Wankhede Stadium on March 31. Having suffered consecutive losses against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT), MI are currently languishing at the bottom of the points table.
Mumbai Indians’ Struggles So Far
Under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, MI has struggled to find rhythm in both batting and bowling. Their pace attack, led by Deepak Chahar and Trent Boult, has failed to make an impact in the powerplay, while their batting unit has been inconsistent. The lack of strong starts, particularly with Rohit Sharma’s below-par performances, has put extra pressure on the middle order.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Journey So Far
KKR, on the other hand, had a shaky start to their title defense, losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by seven wickets in their opening match. However, they bounced back in style with a dominant eight-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals, thanks to Quinton de Kock’s match-winning 97* off 61 balls.
Key Players to Watch Out For
- Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Trent Boult
- Kolkata Knight Riders: Quinton de Kock, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer
MI vs KKR: Team News & Possible Lineups
Mumbai Indians Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Satyanarayana Raju
Impact Player: Vignesh Puthur
Kolkata Knight Riders Predicted XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Spencer Johnson, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy
Impact Player: Angkrish Raghuvanshi
Pitch Report & Conditions at Wankhede
The Wankhede Stadium is traditionally known for its high-scoring encounters, with a batting-friendly surface that offers good bounce. Seamers get assistance early on, but the conditions favor stroke-makers as the game progresses. With dew expected in the second innings, chasing teams have had the upper hand, winning four of the last six night games at this venue. Captains winning the toss are likely to opt for bowling first.
Final Thoughts
With MI looking to break their losing streak and KKR aiming to build momentum, this contest promises to be a thrilling encounter for fans. Will Hardik Pandya’s side bounce back at home, or will Kolkata continue their winning ways? Stay tuned for an exciting showdown!
