IPL 2017, Qualifier 2, KKR vs MI: 5 reasons why Mumbai Indians can beat Kolkata Knight Riders
The second qualifier in IPL 2017 will be played between the Mumbai Indians and the Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday at the Chinnaswamy stadium, Bangalore. This encounter promises to be a treat for the fans with both teams boasting of the ability to play high-quality cricket courtesy of a number of stalwarts in their ranks.
Although the Knight Riders come into this at the back of a win over the defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai will certainly back themselves when they take the field at Bangalore after having done the double over the Knights in the league stage.
The Indians have always enjoyed a good record against the team from Kolkata, having won 15 of the 20 contests that they have been involved in and in the second qualifier, Mumbai has a serious chance of further improving on this.
#1 The pocket size dynamite Parthiv Patel
One of the unsung heroes for Mumbai Indians this season – Parthiv Patel has been a force to reckon with at the top order. Unlike other openers, he doesn’t look to play the big shots and scores his runs mostly by using the pace of the ball. Against spinners, his quick footwork and agile wrists allow him to rotate the strike with ease.
Thus, KKR’s pace bowlers like Nathan Coulter-Nile and Umesh Yadav can prove costly against the diminutive left-hander. Gautam Gambhir has numerous bowling options, but if Parthiv, gets into his groove it will be he has the ability to get Mumbai off to a great start and set the platform for a great run