After 59 nerve-wracking games, the equation has come down to the two most successful Indian Premier League (IPL) teams in this year’s edition of the tournament as the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) will be fighting out for lift their 4th IPL title on Sunday in Hyderabad.
While MI will be heading into the final with three consecutive wins, CSK is heading into the final in the second qualifier against Delhi Capitals (DC). Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis scored a half-century each but will definitely face a sterner test in the form of Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga on a lively Hyderabad wicket.
The numbers also stack up heavily against the defending champions with three of their six defeats in IPL 2019 have come against Mumbai Indians but the yellow army still remains the only team to successfully defend an IPL title (2011).
ALSO READ: Final (MI vs CSK): Probable Fantasy XI
With a lot at stake in the coming Sunday, here we try and churn out the best possible playing XI of both the teams:
Mumbai Indians (MI)
The Mumbai Indians think-tank might not be thinking of making many changes are expected after a dominant performance against the same opposition earlier in the week. Rahul Chahar and Krunal Pandya will be playing a crucial role especially against the CSK openers Watson and Faf du Plessis. Bumrah still remains the trump card alongside Hardik Pandya as Quinton de Kock, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav have done their respective jobs with perfection. Jayant Yadav could be omitted in order to allow the left-arm pacer, Mitchell McClenaghan.
Probable XI: Quinton de Kock(wk), Rohit Sharma(c), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga and Mitchell McClenaghan/ Jayant Yadav
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
After a forgettable return to the playing XI against DC, Shardul Thakur might get replaced by Mohit Sharma in the playing XI, who is more capable death bowler. Apart from the one change, CSK isn’t expected to make amends to their winning XI as they try and avenge their defeats against Mumbai. Du Plessis and Watson will also be looking to continue in the same vein while MS Dhoni’s exploits will go a long way in determining the outcome of the match. Imran Tahir is their go-to bowler with 24 wickets to his name this season, just one behind countryman Kagiso Rabada.
Probable XI: Faf du Plessis, Shane Watson, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c&wk), DJ Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir and Shardul Thakur/Mohit Sharma.
