MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings are winless in their last three matches, with two losses and a washout against Lucknow Super Giants, CSK will aim to pull off a double over their arch-rivals Mumbai Indians as the IPL’s El Clasico enters its second match. Is making a comeback in – foot in the IPL 2023 campaign.
The Yellow Army beat Rohit Sharma’s side by 7 wickets earlier this season but a lot has changed since then. The five-time IPL champions reached the milestone with a stunning 6-wicket win over the Punjab Kings. Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan both hit fifties to help MI chase down a total of 200-plus in the second game.
The Mumbai Indians bowlers have scored plenty of runs and this is one department where CSK can take advantage of their opponents, with the opening partnership of Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad once again key, and Ravindra Jadeja working his spin magic against the likes of SKY Will try to weave, Tilkar Verma, Cameron Green and others.
Their previous game against Lucknow was washed out due to rain, and before that, they had suffered two consecutive defeats to Rajasthan Royals and PBKS, after which Dhoni and co come into this fixture.
What: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Vs Mumbai Indians (MI), IPL 2023 Match 49
When: May 6, Saturday
Where: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
start time: 3:30 PM IST
mumbai indians news
Mumbai Indians, after a sluggish start, have slowly picked up the pace while chasing big scores. However, the bowlers’ inability to contain the opposition batsmen will be a cause of concern for skipper Rohit Sharma, who has been short of runs himself.
The return of Jofra Archer is a good start for Mumbai but he will have to pick wickets while the onus will be on the other bowlers to be economical.
Experienced leg-spinner Piyush Chawla will have a big role to play if MI are to contain the CSK batsmen.
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Ishan Kishan saw Suryakumar Yadav return to form in Wednesday’s win over Punjab Kings and that must have delighted the Mumbai team management and fans.
Apart from Rohit, if both Cameron Green and Tilak Verma can go, then the Super Kings bowlers will have a big task.
The wickets at the Chidambaram Stadium have been a mixed bag so far, in contrast to the slow, low wickets of the past which have helped teams get good scores. The kind of track that has been prepared for CSK’s 11th match of the season can have a say in the proceedings.
With CSK (11 points) and MI (10) locked in a tight fight for points and a playoff spot, Saturday’s game promises to be an interesting battle.
Chennai Super Kings News
After suffering a defeat at the hands of Punjab Kings in a last-ball thriller on April 30, CSK would be hoping their fortunes change in the second afternoon match at home.
Devon Conway (414 runs) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (354 runs) have provided strong starts but the middle-order has been unable to build on them on occasions, which has stirred think-tanks and fans alike.
While the experienced Ajinkya Rahane has pulled his weight in the form of Shivam Dube, CSK will hope that Ambati Rayudu and Moeen Ali can rise to the occasion as the tournament heads towards the business end.
Talisman Dhoni, batting lower down the order, smashed some smacks out of the park to get the score going. However, as surprising as it is, it remains a mystery as to why the out-of-form Rayudu and Ravindra Jadeja bat ahead of him.
Rahane was in scintillating form as CSK won the first game in Mumbai and he will be eager to repeat it here.
The return of Deepak Chahar has strengthened the bowling department. However, bowlers like Tushar Deshpande (17 wickets, economy rate: 12.11) wasted runs despite taking wickets, which cost the team.
Jadeja, who has been brilliant with the ball though not so much with the bat, will be key as ever for CSK along with fellow spinners Mahesh Thikshana and Moeen Ali.
Mitchell Santner’s inclusion in the XI is being sought as he can do the job with the bat apart from bowling but it remains to be seen whether the team will bring in either Moeen or Tikshana in his place.
Young pacer Mathisha Pathirana has been doing a good job and Mumbai Indians batsmen will be wary of the Sri Lankan slinger on Saturday.
with PTI inputs
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