KKR skipper Eoin Morgan has gone with the same lineup that recorded a triumph against RCB, with Rohit Sharma back in the MI lineup.
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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Eoin Morgan has opted to field after winning the toss in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 league encounter against defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) on Thursday. Morgan will be looking to maintain the winning run, having led KKR on to a stunning win in the previous clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The defending champions, on the other hand, continue to miss out on the services of all-rounder Hardik Pandya. However, the positive aspect from their viewpoint is the availability of regular skipper Rohit Sharma who did not feature in the recent defeat against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Morgan urged his players to not get complacent despite the triumph against RCB, further adding that KKR were going with the same lineup.
“We are going to bowl first. It worked in the first game and we are going for the same formula. Not getting complacent and sport has the knack to bite you in the back side. We have kept the same side,” said the English cricketer as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Rohit stated that his players need to focus on the basics that were missed in the defeat against CSK.
“Feeling good. Looking forward to the game. Just one change; Anmol who played so well unfortunately misses out. Not a lot to be honest (on what he spoke about the last game). Certain basics of cricket that was missed, we need to do right. We have spoken about it and hopefully we can execute today. It is a good positive to have but I personally understand that every day is a new day. T20 is a format that you have to be good on that particular day,” stated the opener.
KKR wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik was full of praise for the MI squad before the encounter, hailing them for the prowess enjoyed.
“I think the consistent lengths the bowlers bowled was good and I thought the consistent intent the batters showed throughout the chase.. overall it was a very very good team effort (on what impressed him from the previous game). This is a crucial game for us. This will put us in a very interesting spot on the table. If we can edge over Mumbai Indians in a position of strength. The MI side has a lot of a skill, lot of them play the World Cup, so the confidence will be high for them. If we can play like we did against RCB, it will be very good. There is this one kid from Tamil Nadu Varun Chakravarthy. We speak the same language so a bit of banter here and there but when Sunil Narine comes I am sure I am pretty quiet,” stated Karthik.
Lineups:
Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan(c), Dinesh Karthik(w), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy, Prasidh Krishna
Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Rohit Sharma(c), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Saurabh Tiwary, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Adam Milne, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult.
