Plenty of runs on display as Mumbai set the pace

A crucial weekend in the 2020 Dream11 Indian Premier League ends with the Mumbai Indians taking on Kings XI Punjab at Dubai. Kings XI welcomed back a legend last time out and found themselves gaining a very valuable two points but they will face stiff opposition as they take on the current champions, who beat them comprehensively by 48 runs last time out.

The return of the Boss

It was an old face in a new position for the Kings XI in their last match as they welcomed back Chris Gayle, but even the Universe Boss couldn’t break up the opening partnership of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. Kings XI found themselves chasing 172 to beat the Royal Challengers Bangalore which at Sharjah, was a fairly modest total. Two wickets each for Mohammed Shami and Murugan Ashwin helped to keep the RCB innings under control, which is a tough ask considering the firepower in their ranks.

In return, the openers continued to impress, like they have for most of the tournament so far. 78 from Rahul and Agarwal meant that they were ahead of the game when Gayle strode to the crease. 53 from 45 with five sixes for the West Indian, and he looked like he had never been away, as he helped to get Kings XI over the line, taking it to the last ball of the innings.

This top three could be the winning formula that the Kings XI need to boost themselves up the table and make a run for a play-off place.

Experience at the top

I, like many others, have praised the skill and quality of the Mumbai Indians bowlers repeatedly so far in this year’s IPL, but it was also the opening batsmen who shown their class as they brushed aside the Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday night. An opening partnership of 94 from Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock broke the back of a relatively low chase, needing just 149 to win.

James Pattinson was rested which brought fellow Aussie Nathan Coulter-Nile in to the side, and he was the only bowler to struggle for Mumbai. There was continued excellence from Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah but the stand out spell came from Rahul Chahar who took 2-18 from his four overs.

They have got the formula right in Mumbai and with five wins on the spin and sitting pretty at the top of the tree, they are going to take some stopping if they aren’t going to go all the way and defend their crown this year.

Match Tip

Two of the biggest hitters of the ball in the world meet as Pollard takes on Gayle so there are bound to be sixes hit. I think there will be plenty of runs scored in this one, with two strong batting line ups on display.

I am backing there to be more than 330 runs scored in the match between the Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab at 1.83 with bet365.

Bet More than 330.5 runs to be scored in the match on Bet365