Mumbai: Despite an impressive 14-run win over second placed Kolkata Knight Riders in Mohali on Tuesday, Kings XI Punjab are in a must win situation. They have to win both their remaining matches to stay in contention for the play-offs berth. Glenn Maxwell & Co. take on table-toppers Mumbai Indians in their penultimate league clash at the Wankhede stadium here on Thursday.
Punjab's last game is an away tie against Rising Pune Supergiant on Sunday while Mumbai who have already sealed the play-off spot travel to Kolkata for their last league game.
Maxwell has been in good form for Punjab but hasn't made it big yet. His Australian team-mate Shaun Marsh has also been contributing well at the top. Manan Vohra has shown occasional brilliance. Hashim Amla has gone back to represent South Africa. He scored two centuries including one against Mumbai Indians in Indore but Jos Buttler's 37-ball 77 inspired a chase of 199 with eight wickets to spare. Maxwell will hope toss goes his way as chasing has been the preferred option here.
Sandeep Sharma and Mohit Sharma have bowled well mixing their deliveries and Axar Patel has been hard to get after in the middle overs. Amla's replacement in last game Matt Henry of New Zealand can be handful on this wicket with his pace and bounce. Leg-spinner Rahul Tewatia turned the last game in Punjab's favour and once again will be the key against the likes Rohit Sharma who has struggled against wrist spinners.
Mumbai Indians were outclassed by Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last game but they have been in rampaging form at home. They have lost only one game here this season. Mumbai Indians were the first team to make playoffs and a win on Thursday will confirm their finish in top two, which means they will have home advantage in Qualifier 1 here on May 16.
None of the Mumbai batsmen are in top ten scorers list, yet they have won nine games out of 12. It underlines the fact that the contribution has come from everyone. Players such as Karn Sharma, Lendl Simmons and Mitchell Johnson have come from the bench and contributed.
Mitchell McGlenaghan has taken crucial wickets while Jasprit Bumrah has been lethal especially in the death overs. The home side, however, require more accuracy from Lasith Malinga going into the play-offs. Harbhajan Singh has been economical this season. Pandya brothers (Hardik and Krunal) can play crucial part in all aspects of the game.
