Match Preview: MI’s Homecoming: Can Hardik & Co. Break the Jinx Against High-Flying KKR at Wankhede?

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However, the five-time champions find themselves in unfamiliar territory—winless so far and desperate to turn their fortunes around. With passionate Mumbai fans rallying behind them, will Hardik Pandya’s men finally script their first victory, or will Shreyas Iyer’s KKR continue their dominant run? The battle under the Mumbai skyline promises high-octane action, star power, and a fight for redemption.

Match Overview

1.     Event: Indian Premier League 2025 (Match 12).

2.     Teams: Mumbai Indians vs. Kolkata Knight Riders.

3.     Date & Time: March 31, 2025, at 7:00 PM Local Time.

4.     Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Head-to-Head in IPL

Matches Played	MI Wins	KKR Wins
34	23	11

Head-to-Head in Last 5 Matches

Matches Played	MI Wins	KKR Wins
5	1	4

Key Players to Watch

1.     Suryakumar Yadav (MI)- The Lone Warrior in MI’s Batting Line-up?

Despite MI’s struggles, Suryakumar Yadav has been their silver lining, amassing 77 runs in two matches at an impressive strike rate of 142.59. With a steady average of 38.50, SKY has looked in sublime touch, playing his signature aggressive shots. As MI seeks their first win at home, all eyes will be on him to anchor the innings and take on KKR’s bowling attack. Can he deliver another match-winning knock at Wankhede?

2.     Trent Boult (MI) – Can the Swing Master Find His Rhythm?

With Jasprit Bumrah missing, the onus of leading MI’s pace attack falls on Trent Boult. However, the Kiwi pacer has yet to hit his best form in the first two matches. The good news? Wankhede under lights is known to assist swing, and Boult’s ability to move the new ball could pose a serious challenge to KKR’s top order. If he gets his rhythm back, MI’s bowling could look much sharper.

3.     Quinton de Kock (KKR) – The Ex-Mumbai Star Who Can Haunt His Former Team

Quinton de Kock, the former MI opener, has been in scintillating form for KKR. With a stunning 97 off 61 balls* in his last match against Rajasthan Royals, de Kock single-handedly guided KKR to victory. He is currently KKR’s top scorer, with 101 runs in two matches at an average of 101.00 and a strike rate of 153.03. Returning to Wankhede, a venue he knows well, de Kock will be eager to put on another masterclass and remind MI of what they are missing.

4.     Ajinkya Rahane (KKR) – The Local Hero Leading from the Front

Ajinkya Rahane has been a revelation in KKR’s top order, providing aggressive starts in the powerplay. With 74 runs in two matches at an average of 37.00 and a blistering strike rate of 160.87, the KKR skipper has set the tone early for his side. Returning to Wankhede, his home ground in domestic cricket, Rahane will be keen to make a statement with the bat. His experience on this surface and ability to attack in the powerplay could put MI under early pressure.

Pitch Conditions

Pitch Condition	Batting Condition	Bowling Condition
Batting friendly red soil pitch with extra bounce	Expect a high-scoring encounter with a batting-friendly pitch.	Bowlers can expect early swing with the new ball.

Past Performance at the Venue

The last time Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) clashed at Wankhede Stadium was on May 3, 2024, in Match 51 of the season. On that night, KKR posted a competitive total of 169 runs before their bowlers restricted MI to 145, securing a 24-run victory. It was a rare win for KKR at this venue, as MI has historically dominated them at home.

With MI eager to break their winless streak and KKR looking to continue their momentum, can Mumbai turn the tables this time, or will KKR repeat history?

Squads

MI: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Satyanarayana Raju, Robin Minz, Will Jacks, Ashwani Kumar, Raj Bawa, Corbin Bosch, Vignesh Puthur, Karn Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Reece Topley, Bevon Jacobs, Arjun Tendulkar, Krishnan Shrijith.

KKR: Quinton de Kock(w), Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Spencer Johnson, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Anrich Nortje, Anukul Roy, Luvnith Sisodia, Sunil Narine, Rovman Powell, Mayank Markande, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Chetan Sakariya.

Injury Concerns

Jasprit Bumrah not yet joined MI camp due to injury.

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Disclaimer: This Match Preview is based on the user's knowledge and insight, but conditions may change due to weather and other factors. For the most accurate information, refer to official sources. AI was used for this content.