Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2014 Live Streaming News Highlights.The Indian Premier League (IPL), 2014 kicks off with Mumbai Indians (MI) taking on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. This is a new season, with new teams in the fray and it isn’t easy to say who will take the first throw of the dice. Both Mumbai and Kolkata have some familiar faces in their side, with some new players coming in. It would depend on how these new recruits blend in and form a unit with the others.
Mumbai have Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Lasith Malinga, Kieron Pollard and Ambati Rayudu from their previous squad. Zaheer Khan returns after three years and one doesn’t know how well he can be utilised, as he hasn’t been a very influential bowler in the format. But, they would form the core strength of the side and have the responsibility of leading the way.
Mumbai will start their batting with Michael Hussey. In the post Sachin Tendulkar era, Hussey has the responsibility of batting at the top and setting the tone for the innings. Mumbai may have to decide on his opening partner though. In the middle, they will have Rohit, Rayudu and Pollard doing the trick. This is a powerful batting line-up and a lot of the focus would be on them. Corey Anderson, if fit will also come into the side making the middle-order very strong.The spin bowling duties would be handled by Harbhajan and Pragyan Ojha, who was picked at the auction yet again. Malinga will be the main fast-bowler and Zaheer will partner him. If there are other iffy spots, Mumbai may take a few games to decide on them.
Kolkata will bank on Gautam Gambhir and Jacques Kallis, men who have been a part of their franchise in previous seasons. Even Manvinder Bisla would be a crucial addition, as he can keep wickets and play an attacking hand upfront. In Yusuf Pathan and Ryan ten Doeschate, they have some good all-rounders in the middle-order and men, who can change the game. But, there would also be focus on Robin Uthappa, a cricketer who has had a splendid domestic season and is in great form.
Kolkata are spoilt for choices as far as bowling is concerned. Shakib-Al-Hasan should come in as an all-rounder, and this is one aspect where Kolkata have a lot of depth. They have to zero in on a proper bowling combination, one that will support the wily, Sunil Narine. They have to pick between Andre Russell, Pat Cummins, Umesh Yadav and R Vinay Kumar.It isn’t easy to say what combination the teams would pick considering the new rosters, but as the season progresses, things would be clearer.
Squads:
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (c), Aaditya Tare (wk), Michael Hussey, Sushant Marathe, Ambati Rayudu, Kieron Pollard, Corey Anderson, Ben Dunk, Josh Hazlewood, Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Shreyas Gopal, Jalaj Saxena, CM Gautam, Krishmar Santokie, Marchant de Lange, Jasprit Bumrah, Apoorv Wankhede, Pawan Suyal.
Kolkata Knight Riders: Gautam Gambhir (c), Jacques Kallis, Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Shakib Al Hasan, Manvinder Bisla (wk), Ryan ten Doeschate, Yusuf Pathan, Suryakumar Yadav, Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, Kuldeep Yadav, Pat Cummins, Debabrata Das, Piyush Chawla, Morne Morkel, Umesh Yadav, Sayan Mondal, R Vinay Kumar, Andre Russell, Veer Pratap Singh.
The opening contest of Pepsi IPL 2014 will feature the defending champions Mumbai Indians pitted against the 2012 winners Kolkata Knight Riders.
Always considered to be among the formidable teams in the IPL, the Mumbai Indians never managed to lay their hands on the coveted trophy. However, 2013 turned out to be quite a watershed year for the Mumbai franchise as they won the IPL and followed it up with the Champions League T20 title. The team will be eyeing a hat-trick of titles as they embark on what promises to be a tightly contested IPL 2014.
After winning the IPL title in 2012, the Kolkata Knight Riders couldn’t quite carry that form into the following season as they failed to qualify for the Playoffs and finished a disappointing seventh in the (formerly) nine-team league. The Kolkata Knight Riders, like most other teams, have undergone a transformation, and will be hoping the influx of fresh faces will bring lots of positive energy, good luck and an upswing to the team’s fortunes.When Wednesday, April 16, 2014, 8 pm IST
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
The Protagonists
In the grand stage that is the IPL – which will see the best players from across the world pitted against each other – expect the match-winners to stamp their authority.Early on in the tournament, it is important that the captains – especially among the batsmen – set the ball rolling. And hence, a lot will ride on the shoulders of Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir.
The other players capable of playing whirlwind match-changing knocks are Michael Hussey, Kieron Pollard and Corey Anderson of MI, and Robin Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan and Ryan ten Doeschate of KKR.
Among the bowlers, one does not need to look beyond Lasith Malinga and Sunil Narine. Both bowlers are unorthodox in their style of delivery, yet accurate to the dot, and can come up with sterling match-winning spells on a consistent basis.
Previous Meetings
Previous contests between the Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders have been fairly lopsided in favour of the former; MI have won 10 of their 12 matches against KKR – including both encounters last season.Not only is the match result lopsided in favour of MI in their matches against KKR, even the coin toss has gone in favour of the defending champions. MI captains have won the toss in 9 of the 12 contests against KKR.
Mumbai Indians have a lot of riches in their line-up; their skipper Rohit Sharma is the second-highest run-getter in the IPL. Lasith Malinga is the leading wicket-taker and Pragyan Ojha is the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the competition. In their skipper, Gautam Gambhir, KKR have the fourth-highest run-getter in the competition.
Though he has been part of the KKR line-up for only the last two seasons, Sunil Narine is comfortably the team’s most successful bowler; the unorthodox spinner from the Caribbean has 46 wickets from 31 matches, followed by Jacques Kallis with 38 scalps.Both teams will be seen in action next on April 19. While the Mumbai Indians will clash with the Royal Challengers Bangalore at 4pm IST, the Kolkata Knight Riders will take on the Delhi Daredevils in the late evening fixture the same day.
