If Mumbai Indians (MI) win today’s encounter against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), they will reach the top of the table.
At the start of the season, one would have never thought that the biggest rivalry ever of the IPL, would seem like a dull affair. With just 3 wins in 10 games, CSK are reeling at the bottom of the table and a win today would do them no better than the seventh spot.
The last time the two faced each other was the season opener and CSK cruised to a victory in the game. Their fates have changed drastically since. While CSK have managed just 2 wins in the next 9 games, Mumbai have 6 in the next 8.
Rohit Sharma’s men in blue have almost assured them a berth in the playoffs, but a top-two finish is still not a surety. Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai are the three teams in contention for the two spots. MI are the ones with the best net-run-rate and would fancy their chances.
Dwayne Bravo has been ruled out of the tournament, and how the rest of CSK bowling outfit tackles Keiron Pollard and Hardik Pandya at the death would make up for some interesting mini-games. Sharjah has changed from a batsman’s paradise and smart bowling units have done well in the past games at the venue, but the short boundaries are set to come into play when the likes of Polly and Pandya are batting.
For Chennai, as the captain said, it is the time for giving chances to their bench and multiple changes in the squad would not come as a surprise. Ruturaj Gaikwad, N Jagadeesan and the premier spinner Imran Tahir are most likely to get a game.
MI had rested James Pattinson for Nathan Coulter-Nile to manage the former’s workload. Coulter-Nile has given unflattering performances in the two games and he will probably make way for Pattinson to come back in the 11.
Likely 11s:
CSK: Sam Curran, Faf du Plessis, Shane Watson/Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayudu N Jagadeesan, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Piyush Chawla/Imran Tahir, Josh Hazlewood
MI: Rohit Sharma, Quinton de Kock, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, James Pattinson, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah
