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Out of contention for a berth in the Playoffs, Mumbai Indians (MI) are now showing up as destroyers of dreams. Having dented Punjab Kings’s qualification hopes with a win at Dharamsala last Thursday, the five-time champions now turn their attention to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
For KKR, whose hopes hang by the thread, Wednesday’s clash at the Eden Gardens is a must-win one. KKR are in the midst of a late surge, winning five of their last six matches. Key players have found form, none more tellingly than Finn Allen and mystery spinner Sunil Narine. Allen, the Kiwi opener, has an unbeaten 100 from 10 days ago and a 35-ball 93 here against Gujarat Titans on Saturday.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya, out for a couple of matches because of a back spasm, bowled and batted in the nets on Monday. Ryan Rickelton and Naman Dhir are among the few who have been scoring regularly for MI. “The tournament is not over for us. We’ll and play our best cricket tomorrow, just like we did in our last game. We see ourselves as the favourites,” said a confident Dhir.
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