[ad_1]
A leaner and fitter Rohit Sharma will be eager to come good against an opponent he has traditionally enjoyed facing. File.
| Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy
Mumbai Indians has traditionally been the bogey team for Kolkata Knight Riders, particularly at the Wankhede Stadium, where the home side enjoys a commanding 10-2 head-to-head record.
Yet, history offers a curious counterpoint — the last time MI won its season-opener was back in 2012. Such contrasting trends make it difficult to pick a clear favourite purely on numbers. But, if present circumstances are anything to go by, the scales tilt decisively in favour of the host ahead of Sunday night’s Indian Premier League clash between the former champions.
And it is not just about MI’s star-studded line-up or the familiarity of home conditions. The visitors arrive with concerns over their pace-bowling resources. Mustafizur Rahman’s BCCI-enforced exit has already weakened the attack, and the subsequent season-ending injuries to Harshit Rana and Akash Deep have compounded the problem. With Matheesha Pathirana’s availability still uncertain, KKR’s death-bowling options are stretched.
As a result, the Kolkata outfit will rely heavily on its trusted spin duo — Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy — to contain a formidable MI batting line-up.
The five-time champion, meanwhile, finds itself in the enviable position of having plenty of options. With four members of India’s recent triumphant T20 World Cup squad, along with another former World Cup-winning captain, the squad appears balanced and well-rounded.
The absence of Will Jacks and Mitchell Santner — both stars who set the World Cup on fire are yet to join the squad — is unlikely to worry the team management.
Afghanistan’s mystery spinner Allah Ghazanfar, who missed last season due to injury, is fit and available, further strengthening MI’s bowling reserves.
There were encouraging signs during training, too. Jasprit Bumrah bowled with a short run-up, ending speculation over his availability.
And a leaner and fitter Rohit Sharma will be eager to come good against an opponent he has traditionally enjoyed facing.
Published – March 28, 2026 09:06 pm IST
[ad_2]
IPL 2026 | Late starter MI hosts ‘favourite’ opponent KKR
