Mumbai Indians would still be gutted by their last over defeat against Punjab in their last game. They would be looking to put that behind and win today’s relatively easier game against Kolkata. Mumbai’s middle order has appeared a bit thin, with Shikhar Dhawan not putting any good performances. There is too much pressure on Sanath and Sachin to score big runs, and as was seen in the last game if both of them get out early the team had problems chasing even 120. While Duminy has shown the ability to hold the innings together, he dosent have the firepower when the required rate rises. With only Abhishek Nayar to hit the big shots, Mumbai would do well to use Harbhajan as a pinch hitter at number 3.
Koklata on the other hand needs to get out of the hole they have themselves dug into. It would take a special innings from one of their batsmen for that. But the chances of SRK returning to South Africa are slim.
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23rd match: Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians at East London - May 1, 2009
Mumbai Indians won by 9 runs.
Mumbai 148/6 - JP Duminy 52 (37), Sachin Tendulkar 34 (30).
KKR fall short 139/6: Brad Hodge 73, Van Wyk 32 - Zaheer Khan 4-31-3
JP Duminy got the timing of his knock during the Mumbai vs Mohali game, but set it right this time around. Tendulkar gambled on bowling out his strike bowlers - and it worked with Hodge and McCullum who’d demoted himself unable to get off crucial boundaries in the final overs.
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