The Final Frontier: MI vs CSK Combined Playing XI

The Final Frontier: MI vs CSK Combined Playing XI: The titanic clash between two star studded teams is tonight. Both teams will high on confidence with some exemplary performances over the last one and a half months. The final of the IPL is at Kolkata and a new track has been prepared especially for the final game. The pitch is expected to be a belter and lots of runs are on the cards for both teams. Bowlers will have to bend their backs to get anything out of it. Nevertheless an epic clash of the titans is expected with an array of International stars on display. Here’s our combined playing XI from these two talented teams. Have your say in the comments below. Batsmen– Lendl Simmons – MI: Lendl Simmons MI. (Photo Source: BCCI) The top scorer among the two teams playing today, Simmons has been in impressive form in this IPL. He can steady the innings and also hit the ball cleanly when needed. His form has been crucial for the MI as he has scored 472 runs including 5 fifties for them this year. If he gets a start he usually converts in into a big score. CSK will need to get him out early or h can really hurt any bowler on his day. Parthiv Patel – MI: Parthiv Patel MI. (Photo Source: BCCI) The Simmons-Parthiv partnership has be the key for MI in this IPL. They both have contributed with the bat and are invaluable to the team. Its these two who lay the foundations for the attacking batsmen to follow. Parthiv himself can hit some big shots and has been the key in the opening overs. His wicket keeping skills are also very good. McCullum would have been the obvious choice here if he was still available. Suresh Raina – CSK: Suresh Raina CSK. (Photo Source: BCCI) His form is disappointing to say the least but he is a big game player and can chip in with some important runs today. CSK will need him to score some big runs for a victory. The most accomplished IPL batsman is a key figure for the Men in Yellow. He can also bowl a few overs if the team needs him. Rohit Sharma – MI: Rohit Sharma MI. (Photo Source: BCCI) He started the IPL with a bang as he scored 98* in the first game here at Eden Gardens. Also he broke the record for highest individual score in ODI cricket at this very venue with his 264. He is in decent form in the IPL and the MI skipper is one of the better batsmen in the team. He will look to score big today on the biggest stage to get his team going. Captain& Wicket Keeper– MS Dhoni – CSK: MS Dhoni CSK. (Photo Source: BCCI) The most successful captain in IPL is a key figure for the team. His excellent finishing abilities will be the key in this game and his leadership qualities are unquestionable. His batting from is not the best at the moment but he is such a batsman that he can change all that with just one innings. And CSK will want that big innings today in the final of all games. All Rounder’s– Kieron Pollard – MI: Kieron Pollard MI. (Photo Source: NDTV) Pollard has a strike rate of more than 160 in this IPL and he is the one whom the team looks at for finishing strongly in the death overs. He has already scored 2 fifties this year and he can change the dynamics of the game very quickly. If he stays on the crease for a few overs, MI can post a big total for sure. His bowling can be handy in tricky situations. Dwayne Bravo – CSK: Dwayne Bravo CSK. (Photo Source: BCCI) West Indian players are invaluable to these teams as three of them are in the combined XI today. Dwayne Smith can be another contender but his form has been poor so far. Bravo is the Purple Cap holder and has regularly picked wickets and troubled the oppositions so far. His death bowling has been very important to the team. He has leaked a few runs but he still manages to pick wickets consistently. His batting can be handy in the final overs in any game. Bowlers– Harbhajan Singh – MI: Harbhajan Singh MI. (Photo Source: BCCI) Harbhajan will want to perform well tonight. His bowling will be the key as he is their leading spinner. Bhajji has picked up a good number of wickets this year but he hasn’t been exceptional in all games. He is MI’s second highest wicket taker on 16 wickets. His experience will be invaluable in a game of this magnitude. Ravichandran Ashwin – CSK: Ravichandran Ashwin CSK. (Photo Source: BCCI) Ashwin was just brilliant in the last game. True, Ranchi was a slow wicket and Kolkata will be a bit different. But Ashwin is one bowler who can dry up runs for opposition batsmen and create pressure and thus get key wickets. His overall form has been not very good but his last game was brilliant and he will want to continue that form tonight. Lasith Malinga – MI: Lasith Malinga MI. (Photo Source: BCCI) One of the best bowlers in the world, Malinga has been a pillar for the MI bowling attack since he became and MI player. Swing, pace and accuracy are his main assets. Malinga is their leading wicket taker with 22 wickets and he will once again be the MI bowling attack’s leader. If he gets going he can knock any batsman out with his famous yorkers. Ashish Nehra – CSK: Ashish Nehra CSK. (Photo Source: BCCI) 22 wickets so far in the tournament make Nehra the danger man in this line up. He has had his most successful IPL season this year and he will be keen to add more wickets to that. His knowledge of big games coupled with his vast experience over the years will be invaluable to the team.