MI vs KKR LIVE – IPL 2021: Rohit Sharma is super-confident that Mumbai Indians will make a very strong comeback tonight against Kolkata Knight Riders. In an interview to MI’s official channel Rohit admitted that KKR is playing good cricket & will be confident after beating RCB – but ‘MI has all bases covered and will comeback strong’ – Follow MI vs KKR Live Updates in IPL 2021 on InsideSport.co
“We are confident, we will make very strong comeback. KKR is playing good cricket, they must be confident after last game but we have all our bases covered, we will do well’, declared MI captain
“It’s important that we turn up and do the job!” 💪
Captain Ro previews #MIvKKR 🗣️🔥#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #IPL2021 #KhelTakaTak @ImRo45 @MXTakaTak MI TV pic.twitter.com/HxomGIvAHC
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) September 23, 2021
MI vs KKR LIVE – Head to Head: Rohit also warned his team not to get complacent with great record against KKR. Mumbai enjoys brilliant Head to Head record against KKR with 22 wins out of 28 matches and only 6 defeats but according to him past is past & he doesn’t believe in records
‘I don’t believe much in past records. In T20 Cricket everything can change in seconds. We need to just do our things right’, declared as a warning for his team not be complacent.
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MI vs KKR LIVE IPL 2021: Rohit Sharma big interview before KKR match, ‘Kolkata tough but Mumbai Indians will comeback strong’ follow live updates
MI Playing XI – MI vs KKR IPL 2021: Rohit Sharma in, is Hardik Pandya available? Though Rohit did not drop any hint of his and Hardik Pandya’s availability during the interview, InsideSport.co has learnt that though Rohit is available for the match, still their are some doubts over the availability of Hardik Pandya.
The flamboyant all-rounder missed the match against Chennai Super Kings due to a ‘niggle’ but the team management didn’t reveal the extent. Now with T20 World Cup on the head, BCCI has requested franchises, ‘not to rush & risk any of the Indian squad players’. This instruction from BCCI makes Hardik’s availability doubtful.
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How crucial is Rohit & Hardik for Mumbai Indians? Showing very indifferent form, Mumbai Indians has lost 4 of their 8 matches this year and any more slip-ups can prove costly. Defending champions need victory in 4 of the last 6 games to qualify for playoffs and need both Rohit & Hardik at their best.
According to team’s coach Mahela Jayawardhene, “Hardik was training and had a little niggle. So, as a precaution, we thought to give him extra days. Nothing serious!”
But when it was asked that will he be available for against KKR, Jayawardhene did not give any clear cut reply.
MI Playing XI vs KKR: Rohit Sharma all set to come back, questions remain on Hardik Pandya’s fitness? Follow LIVE Updates
MI vs KKR LIVE IPL 2021: : Is Hardik Pandya fit? Pandya has been under the scanner for his persistent injury problems and poor form. He didn’t bowl in IPL 2021 Phase 1 and scored only 52 runs in 7 matches at an average of 8.66. Even on India tour of Sri Lanka Pandya was below-par.
Had it been any other player, he would have been dropped and would have struggled to get back to XI. But he is Hardik Pandya, a crucial cog in MI and have won them matches numerous times.
Also Read: IPL 2021: What’s wrong with Hardik Pandya? Will he play the next match for MI vs KKR or not?
MI Playing XI vs KKR IPL 2021: Is Hardik Pandya available against KKR?
- The mystery around Hardik Pandya’s injury keeps everyone on the edge. At this moment, it is unknown if he has a recurrence of the back injury. MI have maintained their silence over it.
- If it is a niggle, Hardik Pandya is expected to be back for the next match against KKR but could be rested for future matches.
- His poor form is a concern for Mumbai Indians.
- Furthermore, it remains to be seen if he bowls. If he doesn’t, MI won’t want another batsman in the squad as it will impact the balance in the team.
- As per information available with InsideSport, a final decision on his inclusion will be taken before the match.
According to former IPL & South African Cricket great Dale Steyn, ‘Pandya should start playing purely as a batsman and should bat up in the order for MI’
MI vs KKR LIVE IPL 2021: This suggestion by Steyn can help MI’s cause but Hardik’s form and fitness is also under the watch by national selectors. And if they dont see Pandya bowl, they may not hesitate in announcing replacement for the under-scanner MI allrounder.
Another area of concern for MI will be form of Ishan Kishan – who has continuously failed with the bat this season.
As for other combinations, with Rohit Sharma’s return, their opening combination will be sorted. It will also mean Anmolpreet Singh will be benched.
If Hardik doesn’t make it – MI will continue with Saurabh Tiwary.
MI Playing XI vs KKR IPL 2021: Openers: Rohit Sharma & Quinton de Kock, No 3: Ishan Kishan, No 4: Suryakumar Yadav, No 5: Kieron Pollard, No 6: Hardik Pandya/ Saurabh Tiwary, No 7: Krunal Pandya, No 8: Rahul Chahar, No 9: Adam Milne, No 10: Jasprit Bumrah, No 11: Trent Boult.
