IPL 2019: Match 44, CSK vs MI, Preview: Super Kings look to break nine-year jinx by beating MI at Chepauk

At home, Chennai Super Kings would go ahead with the same team while for Mumbai Indians have a possible change to make.

Published - 25 Apr 2019, 16:38 IST | Updated - 25 Apr 2019, 16:38 IST

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“It’s the time to disco!” a song in a Bollywood movie will aptly suit the situation for Cheerleaders at the MA Chidambaram on Friday. Because the IPL juggernauts are playing, we can expect big shots followed by cheerleaders peppy dance moves. Well, the clash between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians will be like experience vs branded franchise. It was Rohit’s clan who registered a comfortable victory when these two teams met in the previous match at the Wankhede. Now, is it CSK’s turn to show thundering performances.

In the previous match, it was Hardik Pandya who had bagged Player of the Match with the three-wicket haul and unbeaten 25 off 8 balls. It was bowlers’ blitz at the Wankhede, again it seems like bowlers will hog the limelight at Chepauk. Bowlers have been the front runners for CSK from the first match and at Chepauk bowlers <spinners> might bring in a significant difference. Both CSK and MI are up there afloat on the first and the third spot of the points table respectively.

Remember the 2015 league stage positions, when CSK finished on top followed by MI, now the scenario seems to be very similar. Can MI win again and overtake Delhi Capitals to occupy the second spot? That would again depend upon the MI’s spin attack.

Mumbai Indians are afresh from a loss against Rajasthan Royals while Chennai Super Kings look like they are back in form after beating SRH at home. Before this win, CSK lost two back-to-back matches but for Mumbai side the scenario was contrary. They won two consecutive matches before losing the previous match. Definitely, Mumbai would look to get back on track while CSK wouldn’t want to disrupt their winning streak.

Team Combinations

Chennai Super Kings

Back on winning ways, CSK might continue with the same team against Mumbai. Opener Shane Watson had to wait for long, to make a cameo with big innings. In the previous match, the former Australian all-rounder’s 96 helped CSK win the match. Du Plessis has been modest with handy knocks in every second match. In the bowling department, Harbhajan Singh made a come back in the previous match by picking up two wickets. Imran Tahir couldn’t bring any impact as he couldn’t scalp a wicket.

Probable XI: Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (C & wk) Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir.

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians also might go with almost the same team but they might dump Ben Cutting for Ishan Kishan. Cutting has not been very impressive so far so they might as well try a different combination. The opening partnership will be crucial for the blue and gold outfits because alike previous match, Harbhajan might dominate the opponents from the second over. It is time for Rohit to shrug the weights of his bat to hit big for the cow corners of Chepauk. Also, Imran Tahir would try to give his best to be a principal wrecker as he promised the fans on Twitter after he didn’t stand to the billing. So Mumbai should be a little careful and start their attack from the word go.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Ishan Kishan, Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga.

Toss: Chennai Super Kings won the toss and opted to field.

Focus will be on

Chennai Super Kings: Suresh Raina

It has been quite some time since ‘Chinna Thala’ — as Raina is fondly called — put up a blitzy display with the bat. Every player has been shining in one of the matches, the last CSK game was Watson’s contribution. Now, Raina has the need to meet the expectation of the fans. So far, the southpaw has 245 runs in his kitty highest being 58 not out. He was trapped for a duck twice this season and has been very inconsistent.

Coming in at No. 3, Raina should show some responsibility and contribute his best to the team. When CSK met Mumbai at Wankhede, Raina could only score 16 runs. Despite winning eight of 11 matches, CSK has still not sealed the playoffs spot. Now, expectation are high and Raina is due a crucial knock.

Mumbai Indians: Quinton de Kock

The Proteas opener has been instrumental for Mumbai Indians this season so far. De Kock has amassed 378 runs in 10 matches with an average of 37.80. He has been a cover-up for Rohit Sharma‘s failure as the South African is taking responsibility to keep the scoreboard ticking.

In the previous match against the Royals, he scored 65. So he is definitely in proper shape. Last year QDK was with RCB and couldn’t make use of his spot there but this season he is in good form taking into note that the World Cup starts in a month. IPL will be a good platform for the southpaw to make a significant impact and also making big score against CSK would merit his performance.