Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will start as favourites riding on skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's rich form when they take on slow-starters Mumbai Indians.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will start as favourites riding on skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's rich form when they take on slow-starters Mumbai Indians in a high-voltage Indian Premier League (IPL) clash here on Wednesday.
Super Kings, who have won the cash-rich T20 league thrice like the hosts, are sitting pretty at the top of the eight-team table with three wins on the trot from three games.
Placed sixth, Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, have not started well as usual with a victory sandwiched between two defeats.
On the morrow, Super Kings will hold the edge with Dhoni in rollicking form. The 37-year old former India captain hit a 46-ball 75 in their last game against Rajasthan Royals to single-handedly lift his team from 27/3 to 175/5 at home.
Chasing 176 for victory, Royals could not match up to Super Kings' death bowling and Dhoni's shrewd captaincy.
Called the 'Daddy's Army' for a host of over the hill cricketers in their arsenal, Super Kings have defied all odds to win the title last season and have continued their form this year in the opening exchanges.
The visitors have experience in their batting and bowling departments with the likes of Shane Watson, Suresh Raina, Kedar Jadhav and Ambati Rayudu adding to the might.
Rayudu, who is still hopeful of retaining his No. 4 spot in the Indian team for the World Cup, has been off colour and has to get his act together quickly.
Deepak Chahar was useful with the ball the other day and would look to continue the good work.
Coming to the hosts, Mumbai are over-dependent on openers Rohit and South African Quinton de Kock. The others have failed to get runs and need to step up.
What to expect?
On Wednesday, Mumbai will have the services of new recruit, West Indian fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, and can also play all rounder Ben Cutting in place of the Lasith Malinga who has looked lacklustre.
In the spin department, Chennai have the edge too, with South African Imran Tahir and Ravindra Jadeja doing the job well after the power play.
Probable Playing XIs:
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Yuvraj Singh, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Mitchell McClenaghan, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga
Chennai Super Kings: Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir
(With IANS inputs)
