Knight Riders looking for some luck against Mumbai Indians

East London, April 30

Troubled Kolkata Knight Riders would be hoping for some luck against Mumbai Indians in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match here Friday. The last time the two team met, Knight Riders were at the receiving end of two stalwarts of Mumbai Indians -- Sanath Jayasuriya and Sachin Tendulkar -- and slumped to a humiliating 92-run defeat. For record, Mumbai Indians have won all the three matches both teams have played in the IPL. Knight Riders have managed a single win from six matches and are lying at the bottom of the league while Mumbai Indians are in the fifth spot with two wins from five matches.

They came close to win against Bangalore Royal Challengers but lost a last-over thriller. Skipper Brendon McCullum's decision to go for a spinner in the last over in two matches has backfired. Knight Riders will be without big-hitting Chris Gayle, who has performed well in the tournament. The West Indies captain has flown back to London for the first Test against England, starting May 6.

Gayle's absence is likely to be a problem for the Knight Riders at the top of the batting order because McCullum is yet to fire. But the presence of South African wicket-keeper Morne van Wyk will surely bring some stability in the middle order. Mumbai Indians, too, lost a close contest against Kings XI Punjab. They would hope hope to return to winning ways. South African batting sensation Jean Paul Duminy scored a composed half-century against Kings XI and almost took the team to victory single-handedly. Their bowlers are also in fine touch. Fast bowlers Zaheer Khan and Lasith Malinga will look to carry on their superb form.