
As Mumbai Indians (MI) gear up for their clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2025, the pressure is mounting. Despite playing at their fortress, Wankhede Stadium, MI might not have it easy. The reason? A deadly KKR trio is ready to spoil their game—especially Sunil Narine, Rohit Sharma’s biggest nemesis in T20 cricket.
Sunil Narine: The Nightmare for Rohit Sharma
Narine, who missed KKR’s last match due to illness, is set to make a comeback against MI. His return spells trouble for Rohit Sharma, who has historically struggled against the mystery spinner. In T20s, Narine has dismissed Rohit 10 times, a record only matched by Dwayne Bravo against Kieron Pollard. If Narine gets Rohit out once more, he will set a new record for the most dismissals of a single batter in T20 cricket.
Venkatesh Iyer: MI’s Silent Destroyer
The second major threat to MI is Venkatesh Iyer. The explosive left-hander has a phenomenal record against Mumbai, scoring at an astonishing strike rate of 165.29 with an average of 72.40 in six innings. His stats include one century and three fifties, making him a serious threat. Remarkably, his lowest score against MI is still 42 runs, proving his consistency against them.
Ajinkya Rahane: The Wankhede Expert
Leading KKR this season, Ajinkya Rahane is the third member of this lethal trio. A Mumbai local, Rahane knows every inch of Wankhede’s pitch. Two years ago, while playing for CSK, he had smashed a 19-ball fifty at this very venue. His familiarity with the conditions could be a game-changer for KKR.
Can MI Overcome the KKR Challenge?
With Narine’s dominance over Rohit, Iyer’s remarkable form against MI, and Rahane’s home advantage, KKR has a powerful trio that could push Mumbai deeper into trouble. For MI to secure their first win of IPL 2025, they will need a solid strategy to counter these threats. Otherwise, another defeat at home might be on the cards.