Kolkata, May 11: Yet to seal their last-four berth, heavyweights Mumbai Indians would look to stop the Kolkata Knight Riders' six-match winning streak in what promises to be an exciting Indian Premier League contest here tomorrow.
Thanks to the scheduling, both the teams face each other for the first time this season despite the tournament already into its business-end.
It has been a contrasting journey for both teams as the Kolkata Knight Riders find themselves comfortably placed at number two with eight wins from 12 outings and virtually assured of a place in the play-offs.
They have lost just once in their last 10 appearances as consistency has been the middle-name of the Knight Riders, a team mired in controversies in its forgettable first three seasons.
On the other hand, the Champions League Twenty20 winners and pre-tournament favourites Mumbai Indians are yet to find consistency and have been slightly lucky with seven wins out of 12.
Mumbai Indians batting has looked ordinary with some domination in patches while their bowling—superbly led by Sri Lankan sling bowler Lasith Malinga—has been quite potent.
The Knight Riders too have been outstanding with their slow bowlers but it's Gambhir's aggressive captaincy and the way he has led from the front that has brought results.
With five half centuries—that included three man-of-the-match performances—Gambhir has not only led by example but has motivated the side.
The way he handed over his MoM award to youngster Debabrata Das (11 from 4 balls) for playing the finisher's role in their spectacular five-wicket win in Chennai, speaks highly of the left-handed skipper.
