Two times Indian Premier League champions Kolkata Knight Riders are starting the 2020 campaign with facing defending champions Mumbai Indians at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, and the captain Dinesh Karthik points out that its beneficial to take on the Rohit Sharma-led squad this early in the tournament.
Mumbai Indians are the most successful team in the history of IPL, having won the trophy four times. They are also the franchise with the most number of wins (107), and along with a 56.91% win percentage, only second behind Chennai Super Kings.
It will be a great game tomorrow: Dinesh Karthik zealous to take on the defending champions
Even though Mumbai Indians lost the IPL opener against MS Dhoni and co, the start-studded squad led by Rohit Sharma is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with, and Dinesh Karthik is content about their opening fixture.
“They (Mumbai Indians) have a team of world-class players, they have a strong lineup and the amount of IPL titles they have shows that,” Karthik said in an online press conference on Tuesday.
Karthik joined KKR in 2018 and succeeded former captain Gautam Gambhir.
“It’s good that we are playing Mumbai early in the tournament, every year is a different year, I am sure it will be a great game tomorrow,” the 35-year-old veteran wicketkeeper-batsman said.
It’s worth noting that MI has been dominant over KKR in IPL. Both teams have faced each other 25 times in IPL, in which KKR has registered only six victories.
Karthik hints Gill-Narine opening combo against MI
KKR’s choice of opening hitters is interesting, as last year the Men in Blue youngster Shubman Gill was paired up with spinner Sunil Narine, the latter who surprised with his batting prowess in the power play overs.
This time also, the skipper hints opting for the same opening combo in tomorrow’s game.
“Shubham is a gun, he is a quality player, I am sure he will exceed all expectations, it’s good to have him, Gill and Narine make a good opening combination,” Karthik acknowledged.
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