MI Vs KKR Playing-11: Pandya Will Disappoint South African Star, This Bowler Will Replace Harshit Rana In Kolkata!

Kolkata will be in front of Mumbai

Sports Desk, New Delhi. Mumbai Indians will face Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday in the second match of IPL-2026. Obviously both the teams would like to start the league with a win. For this, both will have to field their best playing-11. However, in the initial matches of a long league like IPL, teams try to make the right combination and during this time a lot of changes are also seen.

This match is to be played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. If the pitch here suits the batsmen, it is natural that we will see rain of runs. This is the home ground of five-time champion Mumbai, but this ground is also home for Kolkata captain Ajinkya Rahane as he has played here since childhood. The biggest question before Mumbai captain Pandya and Rahane is to choose the playing-11.

How will Mumbai's playing-11 be?

Talking about host Mumbai, Rohit Sharma is sure to open. Along with him, the team can field Quinton de Kock. This is the best opening pair available in Mumbai. Ryan Richlton of South Africa is also in the team and he is also an opener, but it is not possible for him to play in the presence of De Kock. There is some confusion regarding number-3 because Tilak Verma also plays at this number and only Suryakumar. It remains to be seen who among the two Pandya sends at three and whom at four. Then the captain himself comes.

The team has a great all-rounder in Will Jacques. The way Jacques played in the recent T20 World Cup shows that he is in form. The Mumbai team would like him to continue this form. Sherfan Rutherford can be seen in the playing-11 on the basis of his stormy style.

In the form of Deepak Chahar, the team has another all-rounder who can score fast runs in the lower order. Deepak's bowling is more effective than batting. Apart from the new ball, he can also bowl well with the old ball. Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult are also certain to play. Mayank Markande is the best option for the team as a spinner.

Who will be the 11 players of Kolkata?

The concern for Kolkata will be to choose between Finn Allen or Tim Seifert. Both are openers and score runs fast. Only one of these two players will be able to play and open. Where captain Ajinkya Rahane can be seen supporting him. The responsibility of number-3 may be on young batsman Angkrish Raghuvanshi. It is also possible that Raghuvanshi will open and Rahane will play at number 3.

Cameron Green, who was the most expensive player this season, is sure to come at number-4 and then comes Kolkata's vice-captain Rinku Singh. The team has a good finisher in Ramandeep Singh. Sunil Narine was used more by the team in the lower order last season and this time also the same possibility is visible. Along with Narine, the responsibility of spin will be on Varun Chakraborty and this pair can create problems for any team.

The biggest tension of Kolkata is fast bowling. He is troubled by injuries in this department. Harshit Rana is out of the season due to injury and Akashdeep is also in the same condition. Blessing Muzarabani is scheduled to play. Kartik Tyagi and Vaibhav Arora can support him.

Probable playing-11 of both the teams

Mumbai: Hardik Pandya (captain), Rohit Sharma, Quinton de Kock, Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav, Will Jacques, Sherfan Rutherford, Deepak Chahar, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult.

Kolkata: Ajinkya Rahane, Tim Seifert/Finn Allen, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Cameron Green, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakraborty, Blessing Muzarabani, Kartik Tyagi, Vaibhav Arora.

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Also read- MI vs KKR Pitch Report: Who will dominate the Wankhede pitch? Know how the latest situation is