Mumbai Indians (MI) will resume their IPL 2025 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 12th match of the tournament. The two teams are set to clash at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Monday, March 31.
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Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Preview
Whether you’re in the city of Mumbai or the Mumbai Indians (MI) dressing room, the heat is rising. While the temperature has soared to 35°C, MI must be feeling the pressure of their position at the bottom of the points table, sitting at tenth place.
Historically, MI have been slow starters in the IPL, failing to win their opening game since 2012 and often sneaking into the playoffs at the last moment, as they did in 2023. Though they can take solace in last season’s comeback—when they played without Jasprit Bumrah—they have several issues to address before their clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Monday.
As captain Hardik Pandya admitted, MI’s top order has yet to fire, managing just 155 for 9 and 160 for 6 in their two matches so far. Their latest outing against Gujarat Titans (GT) on Saturday was marred by sloppy fielding and questionable batting order decisions. After two away games, they finally return home but have had just a day’s rest.
Without Bumrah, MI’s new-ball duo—Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar—have struggled, picking up only one wicket in the powerplay. Adding to their woes, senior batters, particularly Rohit Sharma, have failed to make an impact. With two of their next three games on the road, MI need to find solutions quickly to turn their campaign around.
As the five-time champions return to their fortress, Wankhede Stadium, they are greeted by mounting challenges. Their team selection has been questionable—dropping Vignesh Puthur despite his strong performance in the opener against CSK raised eyebrows. Hardik’s decision to bat lower than rookie Robin Minz in the chase against Gujarat Titans also defied logic. Meanwhile, Boult and Chahar have managed just one wicket for 94 runs across nine PowerPlay overs in two matches.
Hardik himself may need to shoulder more responsibility with the bat to avoid leaving too much pressure on younger players. Boult and Chahar against KKR’s top order could be an exciting contest. Boult has dismissed Ajinkya Rahane three times in six IPL innings (strike rate 97), Narine four times in four T20s (strike rate 135), and Quinton de Kock six times in nine T20s (strike rate 114). Chahar has also removed de Kock four times (strike rate 117.50), Rahane four times in four IPL innings (strike rate 91.30), and Narine twice in four T20s while conceding runs at a rate of 209.09.
Kolkata Knight Riders have experienced a mix of results but will take confidence from their recent record against MI. They have won five of the last six meetings since the start of the UAE leg of IPL 2021 and ended a 12-year losing streak at Wankhede last season. Coming off a convincing win against Rajasthan Royals, KKR will enter the match in high spirits.
The Wankhede is a familiar ground for KKR’s new captain Rahane, who averages 40 there in the IPL against MI, with three half-centuries from ten innings. He also recorded his fastest IPL fifty—off just 19 balls—at this venue two years ago while playing for CSK. MI may hold a 9-2 record against KKR at Wankhede, but the visitors have had the upper hand recently, winning five of the last six encounters. Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, has been dismissed by Narine ten times in T20s, a record only matched by Dwayne Bravo against Kieron Pollard. Suryakumar Yadav is just 20 runs away from reaching 8000 runs in T20s.
Venkatesh Iyer has been a consistent performer against MI, averaging 72.40 in six matches, including a century and three fifties, while striking at 165.29. KKR have fewer concerns compared to MI. They adapted well to the slow pitch in Guwahati even without Sunil Narine, who missed the game due to illness but is now fully fit. Their batting lineup has seen contributions from multiple players, and their bowling attack—both spin and pace—appears more potent than MI’s. Notably, Andre Russell, who was their joint-second-highest wicket-taker last season, hasn’t even had to bowl yet.
“Mumbai Indians have not been doing that well. That is an advantage, we can put pressure on them. But the game has been played in Mumbai, and we have to adapt immediately to the conditions here. And that is what we have been planning, and we will be able to do that,” KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit said ahead of the match.
Both Pandit and Rahane, having honed their cricketing skills in Mumbai, know the Wankhede conditions inside out. Their familiarity, combined with the struggles of the home team, may give the visitors a slight edge.
Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Head-to-head
MI hold the advantage in overall head-to-head clashes with a 23-11 record, but KKR have dominated recent meetings, winning five of the last six since the UAE leg of IPL 2021. Notably, they broke a 12-year winless streak at Wankhede by triumphing in their last visit.
- Won by Mumbai Indians: 23
- Won by Kolkata Knight Riders: 11
- Tied: 0
- No Result: 0
- First-ever Fixture: April 29, 2008
- Most-recent Fixture: May 11, 2024
Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
Wankhede Stadium hosts its first IPL match of the season, with humid conditions and a steady sea breeze from Marine Drive expected. While dew isn’t likely to be a major factor, teams may still opt to bowl first as a precaution. The short boundaries promise plenty of big hits, ensuring an electrifying atmosphere in what is likely to be a packed stadium.
The red-soil pitch at Wankhede has historically favored high-scoring encounters, with minimal influence from the toss. MI will be eager to bounce back from their slow start, while KKR will aim to build on their winning momentum, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.
Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Team News and Predicted XI
Mumbai Indians – Team News
Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, MI have a full squad to choose from. In their previous game against GT, they dropped Will Jacks and debutant Vignesh Puthur to include Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Hardik Pandya. For their home game on a red-soil pitch that offers pace and bounce, they might consider bringing in Reece Topley. The tall left-arm quick, known for his yorkers, could strengthen MI’s death bowling on a ground with short boundaries, potentially at the expense of either Mujeeb or Mitchell Santner.
A tweak in team composition could improve MI’s balance. If Vignesh Puthur replaces Mujeeb, it might open the door for Will Jacks. However, much will depend on Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya to counter KKR’s biggest threats—Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy.
Mumbai Indians – Predicted XI
- Rohit Sharma
- Ryan Rickelton (wk)
- Tilak Varma
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Hardik Pandya (capt)
- Robin Minz
- Naman Dhir
- Deepak Chahar
- Mitchell Santner/Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Trent Boult
- S Raju
- Reece Topley
Kolkata Knight Riders – Team News
Sunil Narine will return to the KKR XI, which means Moeen Ali, despite his impressive 2 for 23 against RR, is likely to sit out. Head coach Chandrakant Pandit has confirmed that Narine is fully fit and available for selection.
Quinton de Kock, who scored an unbeaten 97 in the last match, will aim to improve his record against Mumbai’s new-ball duo of Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar. Meanwhile, KKR’s seamers have struggled early in the innings, managing just two wickets in the pre-death overs (1-15) and only one in the PowerPlay. The absence of Andre Russell from the bowling attack so far—despite being KKR’s joint-highest wicket-taker among seamers last season—could become a growing concern as the tournament progresses.
Kolkata Knight Riders – Predicted XI
- Quinton de Kock (wk)
- Sunil Narine
- Ajinkya Rahane (capt)
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russell
- Ramandeep Singh
- Spencer Johnson
- Vaibhav Arora
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Harshit Rana
Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Players To Watch Out For
Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians)
Rohit Sharma fell for a duck against CSK and managed only 8 off four balls against GT before being bowled by an inducker from Mohammed Siraj. While that particular delivery would have troubled many batters, his dismissal against CSK—a flick to midwicket—was reminiscent of past struggles in Tests against New Zealand and Australia, as well as in the Ranji Trophy before he regained form in ODIs.
Despite notable knocks like a century against England at home and a 76 in the Champions Trophy final, Rohit no longer appears to be the IPL batter who dominated attacks once he settled in. Now, back at Wankhede, where he has played for nearly two decades, MI will count on him to provide the strong start they have lacked in the first two games.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Angkrish Raghuvanshi also returns to familiar territory, having moved from Delhi to Mumbai at the age of 11. However, his senior-level experience at Wankhede is limited to just one IPL game last season, where he scored 13 off six balls against MI.
Despite that, he has enjoyed two strong IPL seasons, and with his tall frame and solid technique, he will be eager to make an impact in the city that has become his second home.
Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Prediction
Scenario 1
- Toss: Mumbai Indians win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 65-75
- Kolkata Knight Riders Total: 190-200
- Match Result: Mumbai Indians win the match
Scenario 2
- Toss: Kolkata Knight Riders win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 60-70
- Mumbai Indians Total: 200-210
- Match Result: Kolkata Knight Riders win the match
When and Where To Watch Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Indian Premier League 2025 clash between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Monday, March 31, at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.
FAQs
FAQs
What is Mumbai Indians’ head-to-head record against Kolkata Knight Riders?
Mumbai Indians lead the overall head-to-head record 23-11, but KKR have won five of the last six meetings since the UAE leg of IPL 2021.
How has Rohit Sharma performed in IPL 2024 so far?
Rohit Sharma scored a duck against CSK and managed just 8 runs off four balls against GT. MI will hope he regains form at Wankhede, where he has played for nearly 20 years.
Will Sunil Narine play against Mumbai Indians?
Yes, KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit has confirmed that Sunil Narine is 100% fit and will return to the playing XI, replacing Moeen Ali.
What changes can Mumbai Indians make for the Wankhede game?
MI might bring in Reece Topley for Mujeeb Ur Rahman or Mitchell Santner to strengthen their pace attack on the red-soil pitch that aids bounce.
What are the key battles to watch out for in MI vs KKR?
Trent Boult vs Quinton de Kock, Sunil Narine vs Rohit Sharma, and MI’s middle order against KKR’s spin duo of Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy are some crucial matchups.
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