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Top spot up for grabs as MI take on KXIP in Abu Dhabi

By Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians take on the Kings XI Punjab at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on 1st October, 2020. 

KXIP are placed at the fifth position on the points table while MI are sixth. Both teams have lost two matches and won one. 

A victory in tomorrow's game will push either of them to the top position. While it's early days into the tournament, both teams will aim to get a kickstart especially after coming off losses in their previous games. 

We take you through some of the talking points ahead of the KXIP vs MI game. 

Team Momentum 

Despite the loss against RCB, fielding coach James Pamment asserted that the team morale was high after a brilliant batting show during the run-chase. Also with the match in Abu Dhabi, MI will be aware of the conditions. 

As for KXIP, they're coming off from a loss against RR where they couldn't defend a total of 223. This will also be their first game in Abu Dhabi which is comparatively a slower track compared to Dubai or Sharjah. 

MI enjoy a slightly better record 

MI and KXIP have faced each other 24 times out of which the men in Blue and Gold have emerged victorious on 13 occasions. 

The last match between both sides was a humdinger of a contest back in 2019. MI clinched a last-ball win at Wankhede as they registered a run-chase of 198. 

Openers in good touch 

Rohit Sharma has often walked out to bat with KL Rahul in the limited overs international and Mayank Agarwal in Tests. However on Wednesday, his opening partners will be in the opposition camp during the MI and KXIP clash at Abu Dhabi. 

Rohit displayed his masterclass with his bat in the second game as he scored 80 (54). Quinton de Kock has managed to get starts in the last couple of matches but couldn't convert it into bigger knocks. 

On the other hand, Rahul is the current orange-cap holder with 222 runs. His opening partner, Mayank is just behind him in the highest run-getters’ list with 221 runs. 

Game of Finishers 

MI boasts a lot of firepower in the middle order especially with the addition of Ishan Kishan. The likes of Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard are capable of turning the game on its head. Krunal Pandya will also be keen to make the most — provided he gets the opportunity to showcase his skills with the bat. 

For KXIP, Glenn Maxwell will have good memories of Abu Dhabi as he had registered his highest IPL score of 95 (43) on this ground. Nicholas Pooran with his pinch-hitting skills is also a dangerous prospect. Jimmy Neesham is also capable of taking the bowlers to the cleaners. 

How the bowling attack matches up 

Trent Boult and James Pattinson have done well with the new ball especially in Abu Dhabi. The presence of Jasprit Bumrah makes any attack look lethal. Rahul Chahar bowled well against RCB in the previous game. 

As for KXIP, the pacers had a tough outing in the previous game. Sheldon Cottrell went for plenty. Mohammed Shami conceded a lot too but he's also the joint-highest wicket-taker at the moment. The duo of Ravi Bishnoi and Murugan Ashwin looks solid, having picked eight scalps between them. 

Approaching Milestones 

- Rohit is 2 runs away from completing 5000 runs in IPL 

Players to watch out for: 

Jasprit Bumrah: The right-arm pacer redeemed himself in the Super Over after a not so promising spell in the match. Bumrah displayed glimpses of his lethal self in MI's previous game at Abu Dhabi vs KKR. It will only be a matter of time before we will see him back in full flow. 

Kieron Pollard: The all-rounder with his power-hitting skills went bonkers with the bat against RCB during his knock of 60 (24). His best-ever IPL score of 83 (31) came versus the same opposition last year where he smashed 10 sixes. Pollard also has the most runs by an MI batsman against Punjab. 

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