IPL 2017: Match 7: Probable Mumbai Indians XI against Kolkata Knight Riders

Mumbai, April 9: After losing their first game against Rising Pune Supergiant, Mumbai Indians (MI) will be fretting over their team combination as they take on a maruading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 encounter, here on Sunday (April 9) at Wankhede Stadium.

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The MI team management may be forced to make a couple of changes to bolster the bowling attack as Kieron Pollard was forced to bowl the final over where Steve Smith hit the big West Indian for two sixes.

IPL 2017: Match 7: Probable Mumbai Indians XI against Kolkata Knight Riders

Sri Lanka speedster Lasith Malinga, who comes fresh from a T20 hat-trick may replace Tim Southee in the bowling attack and the seasoned Harbhajan Singh after a baffling exclusion may come in place of Krunal Pandya, who wasn't effective in the opening game.

Mumbai Indians are notorious for their poor starts and will be keen to pull up their socks against a formidable KKR which tamed the Gujarat Lions at their den.

While Kolkata might not be considering too many changes in their Playing XI, Mumbai would definitely make a few changes.

Here's how Mumbai Indians Playing XI might look like:

1. Parthiv Patel

The senior Gujarat left-handed wicketkeeper batsman would once again open the innings for Mumbai in the second game. He scored 19 off 14 deliveries in the previous game before Imran Tahir bowled him.

The Gujarat batsman had a decent domestic season in 2016-17. The left-handed batsman will be opening alongside Jos Buttler.

2. Jos Buttler

The England opener had a decent performance in Mumbai's opening game. Buttler scored 38 off 19 deliveries, including 3 fours and as many sixes.

He will once again open the innings for his side at Wankhede and team would expect a big knock from him.

3. Rohit Sharma

The charismatic Mumbai captain failed to perform well against Pune. But his presence at No.3 at Wankhede Stadium will strengthen Mumbai's middle order.

Rohit would be eager to get into the grooves and add some runs into his account early on in the tournament to set the pace.

Late-bloomers Mumbai have done exceptionally well under Rohit's leadership in the IPL and the fans would be hoping the same.

4. Nitesh Rana

The left-handed batsman played very well against Pune to steer the side towards a respectable total. He scored 34 off 28 in the previous match.

Skipper Rohit Sharma would once again give this youngster a chance today.

5. Ambati Rayudu

The 32-year-old aggressive batsman has been a prolific run-getter for the Mumbai Indians since his early days. Rayudu has been a consistent performer for the side.

Rayudu has been a match-winner for the team and he would be hoping to play some good knocks in the tournament and draw the attention of selectors before Champions Trophy squad gets picked up. He, however, failed to make it big in the last match.

6. Keiron Pollard

The aggressive West Indies all-rounder smashed 27 off 17 in the previous match but was unlucky to get dismissed at a crucial juncture of the game.

He's another impact player and match winner for the franchise in the IPL.

7. Hardik Pandya

The Baroda all-rounder impressed all with cameo in the previous match. Pandya scored a quickfire 35 off just 15 deliveries which propelled them to a respectable total of 184 in 20 overs.

He has also worked on his bowling skills and is generating good speed and therefore brings an option of playing an extra speedster to the side.

8. Harbhajan Singh

The veteran spinner wasn't picked up in the previous game against to everyone's surprise. His absence cost the team badly as Pollard was forced to bowl the last over against Pune.

9. Lasith Malinga

The Sri Lankan 'sling king' will be making his comeback into the side after his superlative performance against Bangaldesh in the T20 series.

Malinga took another T20 hat-trick of his international career, and this would be another reason he would make a comeback.

Also, KKR openers were at their marauding best in the previous game, this makes it all more obvious for him to play.

10. Mitchell McClenaghan

The New Zealand left-arm quick was an economical pacer from his side in the previous game. MI skipper Rohit Sharma would be hoping a similar effort from McClenaghan against Kolkata.

11. Jasprit Bumrah

This Indian version of Lasith Malinga has been an irreplaceable asset to the side. Bumrah will be eager to hone his wicket-taking skills ahead of Champions Trophy 2017.

Mumbai would rely heavily upon Bumrah in the death overs due to his miserly performance and ability to bowl yorkers at will.

Mumbai Squad:

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Jasprit Bumrah, Jos Buttler, Shreyas Gopal, Krishnappa Gowtham, Asela Gunaratne, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell Johnson, Kulwant Khejroliya, Siddhesh Lad, Mitchell McClenaghan, Lasith Malinga, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Parthiv Patel (wicketkeeper), Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Punia, Nitish Rana, Ambati Rayudu, Jitesh Sharma, Karn Sharma, Lendl Simmons, Tim Southee, Jagadeesha Suchith, Saurabh Tiwary, Vinay Kumar.

KKR are likely to play the same playing XI which they played in the previous game as follows:

Gautam Gambhir (Captain), Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa (wicketkeeper), Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Chris Woakes, Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav, Piyush Chawla, Surya kumar Yadav, Trent Boult.

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