MI vs KKR IPL 2024: Who will be the Highest Wicket-takers in Mumbai vs Kolkata?

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In the 51st match of IPL 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders will be welcomed by Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday (May 3).

MI have an overwhelming dominance over KKR on the head-to-head ratio, as the latter only managed to win in nine games, against 23 wins by Mumbai Indians in 32 matches. In their last three matches, KKR won two of them. At this venue, this winning ratio is more one-sided, as KKR has won only once in this venue.

After ten matches, MI has managed to win only three, lost their last three games, and placed ninth in the points table. The visitors started the campaign with three consecutive wins and are currently positioned second after nine matches with 12 points.

MI vs KKR IPL 2024: Bowling Squad Comparison

Knights batters are in great form this season, but bowling has failed to match up. The most expensive buy in IPL history, Mitchell Starc remains ineffective and costly in most of the matches. The Knights will miss their best pacer Harshit Rana against MI, as Rana got himself suspended due to misconduct on the field. Other pacers will be Andre Russell, Vaibhav Arora, and possibly Chetan Sakariya. Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy will lead the spin attack.

For MI, Jasprit Bumrah and Gerald Coetzee are in good form. Both are getting wickets in almost every match. Nuwan Thusara and Hardik Pandya will be the other pace options for the hosts. In the spin department, Mumbai is seriously lacking in experience and variation this season. Piyush Chawla is the only veteran spinner yet to deliver an impactful performance,

IPL 2024 MI vs KKR: Top Four Wicket-takers in Match 51

Jasprit Bumrah (MI): The Indian right-arm fast bowler is known for his unorthodox bowling action and tremendous speed, which are fuelled up with accurate yorkers, making him a lethal pacer in limited-over cricket. The 30-year-old has bagged 14 wickets this season with a meagre economy rate of 6.40. His role will be crucial against the in-form Knight openers in the powerplay overs.

Gerald Coetzee (MI): The South Africa national has picked up 13 wickets so far in this IPL. Along with Bumrah, his duty will also be to contain Knight's opening batters in the early overs. Coetzee has to step up against the Knights, as he remains costly throughout the season despite getting wickets regularly.

Mitchell Starc (KKR): The Australian left-arm fast bowler has been below average this season. Starc, despite being the most expensive buy in IPL history, has failed to make an impact till now. He has only 7 wickets in this IPL, with a poor economy rate. Yet his left-handed pace may help KKR get an early wicket from Rohit Sharma, and it is high time for him to step up to help his team reach the playoffs.

Vaibhav Arora (KKR): The 26-year-old Indian right-arm medium-fast bowler has bagged nine wickets this season. As Harshit Rana will miss the match, it is a great chance for him to steal the limelight. Though he has remained expensive in past matches, a fiery spell can be expected from him in the match against MI.

KKR has missed their chances to already seal a spot in the playoffs by losing two matches against RR and PBKS at home despite posting humongous scores. Though winning two out of the remaining five games should not be a problem, it won't be a walk in the park. The Knights have to face MI twice, against whom they have struggled historically. Despite the past records, an interesting battle can be expected from these arch-rivals, as the recent form is now with KKR.