Before the season began, this would have been a mouth-watering high profile clash. At this stage, it just looks like a mismatch. Chennai Super Kings are on the top of the points table whereas Mumbai Indians are lying in the bottom region.
The contrast is clear with the match results. Chennai in the six matches has won five and lost one. Mumbai in their six matches have lost five and won one. With competition at this stage, this is a must-win match for MI at Chennai’s adopted home, Pune.
Here is how the probable playing XI shape up
Mumbai Indians:
The defending champions have been gobsmacked by the other teams in this season. They have lost five matches in the six matches that they have played so far. This will be a must-win match for them, lose this and their playoff dreams will be a lightyear away.
Mumbai in the last match succumbed to a humiliating loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Batting at the Wankhede, Mumbai failed to score only 119 runs. The result will make Mumbai Indians introspect and give away few changes in the team setup.
Kieron Pollard is likely to be dropped, although the team management says it backs him. He has no utility in the team apart from his fielding. Mustafizur Rehman will also be under threat.
Probable XI –
Rohit Sharma (c), Kieron Pollard/JP Duminy, Mitchell McClenaghan, Suryakumar Yadav, Evin Lewis, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Mustafizur Rahman/Ben Cutting, Ishan Kishan (wk), Krunal Pandya, Mayank Markande
Chennai Super Kings
The yellow army is conquering every city that comes its way. Chennai in the season that they are making their return are back at the position that they associate themselves with. The numero uno.
The veterans team has been on fire this season. Dwayne Bravo, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni have batted with a new vigor and scoring at a rapid pace. Their bowling has been supportive and Chahar and Thakur are producing good spells.
In the last high-scoring chase against the RCB, Chennai had brought in Imran Tahir and Harbhajan Singh in place of FAF Du Plessis and Karn Sharma. Another swap of Harbhajan and Karn Sharma is possible.
Probable XI –
Harbhajan Singh/Karn Sharma, Shane Watson, Dwayne Bravo, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Ambati Rayudu, Imran Tahir, Deepak Chahar, Sam Billings, Shardul Thakur
