Two-time champions Kolkata, on the other hand, are placed fourth after two wins and two losses. The hosts are entering the match on the back of a six-wicket win over Delhi. Kolkata lost their last home match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 23 runs.
As the two teams gear up to clash against each other for the first time in the IPL 2023, let’s have a look at four bowlers who can take the most wicket in the match.
Piyush Chawla: The veteran spinner is currently the joint-highest wicket-taker for Mumbai Indians. He has picked four wickets in three matches at an average of 6.75. The leg-spinner took three wickets in the last match against Delhi.
Overall, Chawla has played 264 T20 matches and picked 280 wickets at an average of 24.28 and an economy rate of 7.40. He has picked five wickets from eight matches at the Wankhede Stadium.
Riley Meredith: The 26-year-old Australian speedster picked two wickets against Delhi in his first match of the IPL 2023. With Jofra Archer’s participation not confirmed, Meredith is expected to play a key role against Kolkata.
The pacer could have a lot of impact on the KKR top-order which has been inconsistent so far. The raw pace of Meredith mixed with buzzing support from the home fan is expected to create a lot of trouble for KKR.
Sunil Narine: The veteran off-spinner has picked six wickets at an average of 19.50 and an economy rate of 7.31 in four matches. The KKR bowlers leaked just 28 runs against SRH in the last match but failed to take any wicket.
At the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the 34-year-old has a decent record. He has picked 13 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 24.92 and an economy rate of 6.33. Overall, he has picked 484 T20 wickets in 434 matches at an average of 20.88.
Lockie Ferguson: The New Zealand speedster is yet to pick any wicket for KKR in the IPL 2023. He has leaked 77 runs in two matches at an economy rate of 12.83 in two matches.
Last season, he was the third-highest wicket-taker for Gujarat Titans (GT) after Mohammed Shami and Rashid Khan. He picked 12 wickets in 13 matches at an economy rate of 8.95. A bowler of Ferguson’s calibre would aim to get back his rhythm in the upcoming match against a MI batting line-up which isn’t at its best.
