Daijiworld Media Network

Mumbai, May 16: Welcome to the all important game between Mumbai and Kolkata that will be played at the Wankhede. Mumbai with a 8-1 head to head record against Kolkata will surely start off as favourites in this encounter. The two sides met quite recently and Mumbai turned out to be the better side by a fair distance and that should give the hosts a lot of confidence going in to this game. Kolkata after a great start, have faltered in their last couple of games and will be eager to get themselves back on track. Both sides have a lot to play for, as a win for either will allow them to get closer to sealing a spot in the qualifiers.

Mumbai Indians have won the toss and elected to field

Harbhajan: It is a big game, if we win this one then we hold on to our second spot. It makes a difference when you have experience at the top and having Gibbs back in the side is definitely a real boost to our side. The crowd in Mumbai has been fantastic throught the tournament. We don't know what to expect from this pitch but chasing has been easier out here. Everyone is fit and is looking forward to this fixture. Our team is unchanged.

Gambhir: I have always mentioned that someone who has been hitting the ball well needs to keep doing it. We have quality in our line up so I'm sure someone will fire very soon. We just want to go out and continue performing the way we have and hopefully come out on top. We don't want to put too much pressure on ourselves and get desperate. Shakib and Iqbal come in for Marchant de Lange and Laxmi Ratan Shukla in today's game because the wicket looks a little dry. I would have batted first as well since we have three spinners in the side today.

Teams:

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Herschelle Gibbs, Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik(w), Ambati Rayudu, Dwayne Smith, Kieron Pollard, Harbhajan Singh(c), Lasith Malinga, RP Singh, Munaf Patel

Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Brendon McCullum(w), Gautam Gambhir(c), Jacques Kallis, Yusuf Pathan, Shakib Al Hasan, Manoj Tiwary, Debabrata Das, Rajat Bhatia, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Iqbal Abdulla, Sunil Narine