IPL 2019 – Final: Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings – CSK Predicted Playing XI

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is arguably the most successful IPL team. No team other than CSK has ever made it to the playoffs every season. They are into their 8^th final and it’s yet another one against Mumbai Indians (MI).

The MS Dhoni-led side had to take a roundabout route to reach the finals by playing the second Qualifier but they were clinical with the way they played. First, they restricted Delhi Capitals to a smallish total before the openers set up the chase. However, CSK’s momentum seems to be on and off in recent times.

They have also lost two out of the three previous finals against MI (in 2013 and 2015). However, they will be eager to turn things around against a team which has proved to be their nemesis this season. MI beat CSK in every single game they played this season. Hence, CSK will be up against form and history but they know how to win big games and they’ve shown that too. Thus, here is the predicted XI for MS Dhoni’s team for their final against MI.

Openers (Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis)

The opening partnership was one of CSK’s biggest concerns ahead of the game against Delhi Capitals. However, the openers fired in unison and set up the run-chase. Faf du Plessis scored a brilliant half-century. He was the one who set the pace of the innings and like last year, the South African skipper has played another gem in another playoff.

Shane Watson struggled early on but du Plessis’ energy rubbed off on him and he soon found his fluency as well. The former Aussie all-rounder notched up his second half-century of the season and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Middle-order (Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni)

Barring a couple of 50s he scored towards the end of the group stages, Suresh Raina hasn’t really impressed this season. He seems to be tailing off and fading away. He’s getting out to poor strokes and he seems to be struggling at the moment. Ambati Rayudu has had a couple of unbeaten knocks in the last two games. He’s batted decently as well.

MS Dhoni’s juggernaut just seems to roll on at the moment. The way he has marshalled his troops this time has been remarkable. With the bat as well, he has stepped up. In the last game, he perished trying to finish it with a six but his form has been very good and has been CSK’s best player so far in this season.

All-rounders (Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja)

Dwayne Bravo was very impressive in the second Qualifier. He found the right length and varied his pace really well. He mixed up his variations well too. He took 2/19 which are the second-best figures for him in this IPL.

Ravindra Jadeja has done well throughout the tournament and is one of the most economical bowlers this season. However, he has smashed around in the final over of the innings against Delhi Capitals. However, he bowled a couple of good overs before that. Moreover, with CSK opting to go in a batsman light, both Bravo and Jadeja will need to take extra responsibility with the bat.

Bowlers (Deepak Chahar, Harbhajan Singh, Mohit Sharma, Imran Tahir)

Deepak Chahar has been CSK’s go-to man for breakthroughs early on. He has the ability to swing it up front and Dhoni, unlike the previous year, likes to hold one Chahar over back for the death. Harbhajan Singh has continued to deliver. He might go for a few runs but he picks up important wickets.

Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur was brought in for the second Qualifier but he bowled just one over. He was expensive in that over and might be swapped with Mohit Sharma. Imran Tahir is one wicket short of winning the Purple Cap. He has 24 wickets while Kagiso Rabada is sitting on 25 scalps. Tahir has bowled well and he will be a vital cog for CSK in the middle-overs.

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