Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and Mumbai Indians (MI) would be confronting each other in today’s Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 season 10 match 22 for the place in top 4 in the points table. The Kings XI Punjab welcome Mumbai Indians to the Holkar Stadium in Indore for their last game there, before they move to the PCA Stadium in Mohali. Punjab won their opening two games in a simple fashion at Indore, but they have fallen losing three on the trot on their travels.

KXIP is welcoming the high-flying MI who have won four matches out of five and are currently in the third position in points table. KXIP is trying to fight back after their loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last game despite Manan Vohra’s 50-ball 95 runs didn’t help the team. Whereas Mumbai have successfully chased targets in all of their last four games, and the performance of their young Indian players Nitish Rana and Krunal Pandya have been revelations.

KXIP vs. MI Head to Head –

Played – 18

Kings XI Punjab won 9

Mumbai Indians won 9

Check here: KKR vs GL Match Prediction

KXIP journey so far-

Played – 5

Won- 2

Lost -3

KXIP began the tournament with two wins before losing their next three fixtures. In their most recent outing, they were one strike away from a win when they were bowled out; against Sunrisers Hyderabad. They are back on home turf and will take plenty of confidence knowing they are unbeaten in home territory. As usual, they produced good batting performances with Hashim Amla and Manan Vohra looking in prime touch. Their bowling unit looks good with Sandeep Sharma, Mohit Sharma and Axar Patel delivering for them in the initial games.

Batting– KXIP’s Manan Vohra is among the young Indian batsmen who have impressed this season; the 23-year old opener enthralled with his 95 against Sunrisers Hyderabad the other night. He used to play the supporting role in the previous season, but this season he has often been the first to step on the accelerator; the youngster is striking the ball well and will look to cash in on his good form. Glenn Maxwell is among the most destructive batsmen in the KXIP ranks; the skipper has had two good hits this season – both coming in matches in Indore – and he will look to cause some destruction with the bat today as well.

Bowling–  Axar Patel has started the tournament pretty well this year. He has gone back to sticking to what works for him. He has tried to slow his pace down and flight the ball in previous seasons, but those plans have been shelved. Bowling it quick, flat and accurate is Axar’s strength and he has stuck to that. It has worked well for him too.

Probable XI: Manan Vohra, Hashim Amla, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Glenn Maxwell (C), David Miller, Eion Morgan, Axar Patel, Matt Henry, Mohit Sharma, Varun Aaron, Sandeep Sharma

MI journey so far-

Played – 5

Won- 4

Lost -1

The Mumbai Indians started the season with a defeat to Rising Pune Supergiant. Since then, they have stitched together four consecutive wins – each one of the coming in run-chases. Having played three matches in five days – which included an away match in Bengaluru, MI must have looked forward to the three-day break they have enjoyed post the win against the Gujarat Lions. The team will be recharged and motivated to extend their winning streak.

Batting – Nitish Rana is the Mumbai Indians’ top run-getter; the team has given the left-hander the crucial number three position on a couple of occasions, and the youngster has responded with half-centuries on both occasions. MI will hope the 23-year old can continue to score runs through the rest of the season. The return to form of Rohit Sharma – who was dismissed for single-digit scores in the first four matches – augurs well for MI too. Among others, keep an eye on the Pandya brothers – who cannot come up with something magical on the field.

Bowling – Harbhajan Singh’s economy rate against left-hand batsmen this season reads an impressive 4.84. In this match, he could come across two dangerous left-handers – Eoin Morgan and David Miller. We have to wait and see whether the experienced off-spinner be able to keep them quiet. LasithMalinga has played 11 matches against Kings XI Punjab, and he has never gone wicketless in any of those matches; in all, he has 22 wickets against KXIP at an average of 14.23.

Probable XI: PA Patel (wk), JC Buttler, N Rana, Rohit Sharma (C), KA Pollard, H Pandya, K Pandya, Harbhajan Singh, MJ McClenaghan, SL Malinga, JJ Bumrah.

KXIP vs. MI Match Predictions –

Both teams have had their wins chasing, so it will be an interesting challenge for either bowling attack to defend a total, particularly Mumbai. The one time they have had to do that so far this season, they failed in their opening game against Rising Pune Supergiant.

OUR WINNER – Mumbai Indians

Check here: KKR vs GL Match Prediction

 WHY?

Strong batting line-up.

Very strong bowling unit.

Nitish Rana has been in super form.

Lack of experience for KXIP in their bowling department.

KXIP vs. MI Score prediction –

First batting:

KXIP –160-170

MI – 170-190

Our Star performers Today-

Vohra, Maxwell, Miller, Sandeep

Rohit, Nitish Rana, Harbhajan, Malinga