IPL 2021 preview: A titanic clash awaits as Mumbai Indians go head-on with Chennai Super Kings
The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League is being held in full swing in India. Mumbai Indians is the record five-time defending champion under Rohit Sharma. Chennai Super Kings is a former three-time champion, having won it all under MS Dhoni.
FollowThe Indian Premier League 2021 jas not failed to impress us so far. Continuing on the same impression, a titanic clash awaits as defending champion Mumbai Indians locks horns against former champion Chennai Super Kings in Match 27 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday.
MI has won the title on record five occasions and is unwilling to back down, no matter how difficult the competition gets every season. As for CSK, the three-time champion has bounced back in style so far following the 2020 howler and is adamant in making a point. In the same light, we present the preview of this enthraling clash.
Current form
Both the sides have played six games each. As for MI, it has won and lost three apiece, placed fourth on the table and is coming off a robust seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals. Meanwhile, CSK has won five games in a row following its opening game loss, while it tamed Sunrisers Hyderabad last in a similar fashion to MI.
Team combination
As for the team, MI has a balanced side by numbers. However, with more capped recruits in the bowling, MI would be lethal with its attack and can defend any tiny target. With a formidable side, all of its players would be equally important to watch out.
For CSK, it too possesses a balanced squad in terms of numbers and capped talents. With almost all the players delivering equally in every department, this CSK side cannot be underestimated. Nonetheless, watch out for Faf du Plessis, Ravindra Jadeja and Deepak Chahar.
Injury concerns
None of the sides has any injury concerns.
Head-to-head
Of the 32 clashes between the two, MI has won 19, with CSK winning 13. As for the 30 IPL games, MI leads 18-12, while for the 26 matches in India, MI leads 17-9. The only game held between the two in Delhi saw CSK triumph.
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Weather and pitch report
The weather in Delhi would be hot as usual, with a temperature of around 39 degrees and 23% humidity. As for the track, expect a sluggish one, with the dew factor prompting the sides to bowl first. Any total of around 170 would be competitive.
Probable XI
MI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jayant Yadav, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult.
CSK: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Shardul Thakur, Lungi Ngidi and Deepak Chahar.
Fantasy XI
Batsmen: Rohit, du Plessis (vc), Gaikwad- Rohit is the person to give a free-fowling start, along with Gaikwad, while du Plessis can get going at number four and his current consistent form makes him the deputy skipper.
Wicketkeeper: De Kock- A no-brainer who can score big while batting at number three or as an opener.
All-rounders: Jadeja (c), Moeen, Krunal- Jadeja is a must-have owing to his lethal form across departments, making him the skipper. He is to be duly supported by Moeen in the same, while Krunal is likely to come in handy as well in all.
Bowlers: D Chahar, Boult, Ngidi, R Chahar- The Chahar brothers have been prolific this season and would continue to dominate in this game similarly, with their pace and spin, respectively. As for the others, Boult and Ngidi are definite to nail it with their fierce fast bowling.
Match details
Date and day: May 1, 2021 (Saturday)
Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
Time: 7.30 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Hotstar
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