As the IPL 2021 is set to resume after a long break due to Covid-19 bio bubble breach, the stage is set with a blockbuster clash. The five-time title winners and defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) will take on three-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.
Both CSK and MI are currently placed at second and fourth place in the standings table. CSK have won five out of their seven games and a win will help them get to the top of the points table. On the other hand, MI have won four out of seven games. However, Rohit Sharma’s side is known for slow starts and gaining form towards the end of the league stages.
Head-to-head
If past clashes are taken into the account, MI have a better record. MI have won 19 out of 31 games they have played against CSK. In the current season, MI chased down a mammoth target of 219, thanks to Kieron Pollard’s heroics with the bat, scoring a quickfire 87 off 34 deliveries laced with six fours and eight sixes. Among all the current franchises in the league, CSK have managed to win the least number of matches against MI.
Key battles of the day
MS Dhoni vs Jasprit Bumrah
MS Dhoni did not promote himself up the order earlier in the season and is likely to come in to bat around death overs. MI’s death overs specialist Bumrah has a good record against the former Indian skipper. The in-form fast bowler has dismissed Dhoni three times and restricted the big-hitter’s strike rate to a mere 100.
Kieron Pollard vs Ravindra Jadeja
Kieron Pollard has been in fine form in the recently-concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2021. In Pollard’s last IPL game, he dominated the CSK bowling lineup. Dhoni’s operator in the middle overs, Ravindra Jadeja has been ordinary against the Caribbean veteran. Pollard has scored 107 runs against Jadeja at a strike rate of 222.91 which includes getting out twice.
Rohit Sharma vs Dwayne Bravo
Rohit Sharma is high on confidence after scoring his first Test overseas century in England. So is Dwayne Bravo who led St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to their maiden CPL title win. However, Bravo did not bowl in the final of the tournament. The all-rounder has impressive statistics against the opener, dismissing him five times for 82 runs. Sharma has scored at a strike rate of 113.88 against him.
Also, left-arm spinner Jadeja has been able to keep Sharma quiet. Sharma has scored at a strike rate just below 100 to score 71 runs against the southpaw. He has also lost his wicket three times to the spinner.
Injury update and availability of players
Faf du Plessis’ groin injury forced him out of CPL playoffs and the final. It is still unclear whether the Proteast batsman will be available for the second phase of the IPL 2021. Also, English all-rounder Sam Curran will not be available for the first match as he is currently in six-day mandatory quarantine. In Du Plessis’ absence, CSK have a few options for openers including Robin Uthappa and Ambati Rayudu. Rayudu used to open for CSK whereas Uthappa is yet to make his debut in yellow.
Predicted Playing XIs:
MI: Rohit Sharma, Quinton de Kock, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Adam Milne/Nathan Coulter Nile, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult
CSK: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Imran Tahir, Lungi Ngidi/Josh Hazlewood
