The Mumbai Indians will play their fourth game of the IPL against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. The Mumbai side won their first two games in the tournament before succumbing to the team on a roll, Bangalore, whereas Kolkata had a similar start with two wins, but have lost two successive games after that.

In the last game against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, one thought that the Mumbai side could have batted much better. Sachin Tendulkar (11/4 at Boylesports to top-score against Kolkata) departed too soon, and the rest of the batsmen failed to get going on a flat deck. The middle-order will need to take control during the game, with the West Indian likes of Dwayne Bravo (8/1 at Sky Bet) and Kieron Pollard (8/1 at Ladbrokes to top-score for the Mumbai side) needing to achieve form sooner than later.

However, if one talks of form, then, the biggest worry for the Mumbai batting will be for the paucity of runs from the Sanath Jayasuriya (9/2 at Sky Bet to be the best bat for Mumbai) bat. It will be a surprise if Tendulkar continues to persist with Jayasuriya despite the presence of some of the other batsmen like JP Duminy (5/1 at Blue Square) and Abhishek Nayar (12/1 at Bet365 to be the best batsman for his side) in their ranks.

The Kolkata Knight Riders will be hoping that their own West Indian, Chris Gayle (3/1 at Ladbrokes to top-score for Kolkata) is fit enough to feature in this game. If he is, then one gets the feeling that Owais Shah (11/2 at Boylesports to top-score for KKR) may just have to sit out, while Gayle opens the innings with Brad Hodge (7/2 at Paddy Power to be the best KKR batsman). Sourav Ganguly’s (5/1 at Boylesports to regain form and be the best batsman for his side) form has been anything but good, but against a rival who has won all their games, he will need to come good to be able to lead the side to glory. He could be batting in the top three and may push Manoj Tiwary (5/1 at Paddy Power to top-score for KKR) down the order in order to regain his touch early in the tournament and making his stay at the crease count.

While Mumbai will go into the game as favourites, with Bet Fred offering 8/13 for their win, it is difficult to discount a team like Kolkata (11/8 at Sporting Bet) which has the required strength to take on any opposition. Not in this format anyhow.

Tips:
Favourites: Mumbai Indians (8/13 at Bet Fred)
Top Mumbai batsman: Kieron Pollard (8/1 at Ladbrokes)
Top Kolkata batsman: Brad Hodge (7/2 at Paddy Power)