Mumbai Indians are all set to play Kolkata Knight Riders at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

While MI has been in top form, KKR is coming off a crushing 82-run defeat against RCB. MI also has a better head-to-head record against KKR having won 20 out of 26 games between both teams.

Here we take you through some of the talking points ahead of the MI vs KKR match:

Team Form

Mumbai Indians are currently at the second position of the points table with a victory away from the top spot. A high NRR has managed to keep them on par with DC and RCB. Currently, they are on a four-match winning streak.

Kolkata Knight Riders are having a topsy-turvy IPL so far. After two close victories against CSK and KXIP, they suffered a huge loss versus RCB which hampered their NRR. A loss may end up inviting a lot of contenders for the fourth spot.

Flashback

Both teams clashed at Abu Dhabi during their previous encounter too. Batting first, the Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit put up a spectacular show with the bat scoring 80 (54). MI ended up posting a total of 195/5 in their quota of 20 overs.

Later on, it was an all-round effort from the bowlers as Trent Boult, James Pattinson, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rahul Chahar, all picked two wickets each. KKR could only put up 146/9, largely due to Pat Cummins' quickfire cameo in the end.

Strong Batting Lineups

After a slow start, Quinton de Kock has got going with two fifties and looks in sublime touch. Rohit has also played a couple of crucial knocks. Suryakumar Yadav has been making waves in Dream11 IPL with regards to his consistency with the bat. Ishan Kishan played a fine inning last game and would look to spend more time at the crease.

KKR brought in Tom Banton in the last game who has the reputation of a clean striker in T20 cricket. Shubman Gill has been their top run-scorer with 254 runs in seven innings. Rahul Tripathi played a match-winning knock of 81 (51) against CSK. Nitish Rana was having a good tournament until the last couple of games where he failed to get going.

Batting Firepower

Kieron Pollard has been dismissed just once in Dream11 IPL 2020 so far. The power-hitter from Trinidad and Tobago has gone all-guns-blazing and at the same time also batted sensibly to finish games in the lower-order. Hardik Pandya is capable of taking on the bowlers and his 91 (34) against the same opposition last year is a sublime proof. Krunal Pandya also has the potential to win games despite batting at number seven.

KKR has big names when it comes to paper. An explosive batsman and World Cup-winning captain in Eoin Morgan. The skipper and hero of the Nidahas Trophy Dinesh Karthik. The powerhouse Andre Russell whose atrocities with the bat last year kept the opposition wary of him. However, none of them have made a big mark in the tournament so far and will look to get a move on.

MI hold an edge in the bowling department

The bowling trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, and James Pattinson has consistently kept the opposition at check. Boult with the new ball has struck early for MI. Pattinson has been quite decent and got important breakthroughs in the middle overs. Bumrah has handled the mantle at death with great precision. Rahul Chahar has been amongst the wickets while Krunal Pandya showed his mettle in the last game.

Pat Cummins hasn't been having a great tournament so far with the ball. Prasidh Krishna did well against KXIP while Kamlesh Nagarkoti has also been a fine prospect except for some games. Andre Russell has chipped in at times. Sunil Narine is a doubtful starter considering the scrutiny on his bowling action. Leg-spinner Varun Chakravarty will have extra responsibility in his hands. Kuldeep Yadav has surprisingly been left out after a few unconvincing performances.

Approaching milestones:

- Rohit requires 56 runs more to complete 4000 runs for MI in IPL

- Pollard requires 71 runs more to complete 3000 runs in IPL

- Krunal requires 61 runs more to complete 1000 runs in IPL.

- Krunal is also 5 wickets away from completing 50 wickets in IPL.

- Boult requires 1 wicket to complete 50 wickets in IPL

Players to watch out for

Suryakumar Yadav: If there's one batsman who has been consistently piling up runs no matter whether it's in domestic tourneys or IPL, it is Suryakumar Yadav. With back-to-back fifties to his name, he will look to continue the good form. The way he slammed Jofra Archer for a maximum behind the wicket also became a talking point.

Trent Boult: Trent Boult who has donned the new ball, has been consistently getting the early wickets for MI. He is currently the leading wicket-taker in the powerplay overs this season. With 11 wickets to his name so far, Boult will look to restrict KKR who boast plenty of batting stars in their playing XI.

Head-to-head: W W L W W