Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab, Dubai

Pro Tip: Make the most of the prolific wicketkeeper-batsman in either team.

Our XI: KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock, Nicholas Pooran, Chris Gayle, Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Kieron Pollard, Mohammed Shami, M Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Rahul Chahar

Substitutes: Suryakumar Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Chris Jordan, Trent Boult

NOTE: We might not always be able to tip you off about late injury (or other relevant) updates, so please finalise your team after the toss.

Player availability: All players are available for selection.

Captain: KL Rahul

Rahul is the highest run-getter in the tournament so far with 448 runs at a strike-rate of 133.33. His team's performance has not really had any effect on him as he has been at his consistent best. He has scored four fifties and a hundred in eight innings in the tournament out of which a fifty and a hundred have come at this venue.

Vice-captain: Quinton fe Kock

De Kock has found some excellent form in the last week or so, scoring three fifties in his last four innings. Among all batsmen who have scored 100 or more runs in the middle overs in the tournament, De Kock has the highest strike-rate - 177.94 and he has been dismissed only once in the powerplay in his last four innings.

Hot Picks

Rohit Sharma: Since 2018, Sharma has opened against the Kings XI twice and has scored a 70 and 32. The 70 came just a couple of weeks back in the same tournament. Though he has blown hot and cold this tournament, Sharma likes batting against the Kings XI and he can be backed to come good this game.

Chris Gayle: Gayle got back to competitive cricket after almost a year but started off with a bang by scoring a half-century against Royal Challengers Bangalore. In his last four innings against Mumbai, he has scored two fifties and since 2018, his strike-rate against them is 154.05. We all know how destructive he can be when he gets going and it is worth a gamble.

Mayank Agarwal: Agarwal has provided a great start to his side almost every game. Though he has got only a few 50-plus scores this season, he has scored his runs at a rapid pace. He has scored 165 runs in the powerplay in the tournament - the second highest this season - at a strike-rate of 138.65.

Differential Picks

M Ashwin: Ashwin has played only three games so far in the tournament but has impressed in all those games. He has picked up six wickets at an economy of 7.05 so far. Among all legspinners who have bowled 50 or more balls this season, Ashwin has the best average (10) and strike-rate (8.5).

Nicholas Pooran: Pooran has been playing excellent cameos and when he has got the opportunity to bat for a while, he has made the most of it. Against a strong bowling line-up like Mumbai's, he could get to play a few more balls compared to the last few games. His strike-rate in IPL 2020 in the middle overs is 176.4, the third best among all batsmen who have scored 100 or more runs in this phase of the game.

Alternate Scenarios

• If Mumbai bat first, Suryakumar Yadav has a better chance of facing more balls compared to Pooran. So replace Pooran with Yadav.

• Two out of three fifties this season for de Kock have come in the second innings while 80.87% of Sharma's runs this tournament have come in the first innings. So if Mumbai bat first, make Sharma your vice captain. If Mumbai bat second, make De Kock your vice captain.

• If Mumbai bat second, consider bringing in the other Punjab legspinner Ravi Bishnoi in place of Shami given the pitches have deteriorated in the second innings at the venue.