New Delhi: Rohit Sharma’s elegance and Suryakumar Yadav’s flamboyance will be confronted with the brute force of Faf du Plessis and the grace of Ruturaj Gaikwad when heavyweights Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings cross swords in the IPL on Saturday.
MI and CSK enter the battle after identical victories of Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively by seven wickets, and both teams would like to continue their winning streak.
The biggest positive point for Mumbai was the return to opening batsman Quinton de Kock (117 runs), who made a lightning, unbeaten 70 against Rajasthan here. The faltering Mumbai middle order also clicked in the previous game, on a relatively easy batting course compared to the one on the Chepauk.
Suryakumar (170 runs) will have to convert his start, while Krunal Pandya (68 runs) will play a useful cameo, which would boost his confidence. He would like to take it further from where he left off.
Kieron Pollard (81 runs) also showed his hard hits on Thursday and will once again be scarce to go, and also the versatile Hardik Pandya (36 runs).
Passengers Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult were exceptional, especially at the time of death, and would have to act again to limit the CSK batsmen in form. Leggie Rahul Chahar, with 11 scalp, was MI’s leading wicketkeeper. However, he will need support from Krunal and seasoned spinner Jayant Yadav, who has been a bit expensive in the last game.
It remains to be seen whether Mumbai will keep up with Nathan Coulter-Nile or get Ishan Kishan back in Game XI, which could mean Pollard will have to tune in with the ball if necessary.
Meanwhile, the table cups CSK were a force to be reckoned with this season, having won five of their six matches. The opening batsmen of Plessis (270 runs) and Ruturaj (192 runs) were in top form and would like to give the team another strong start.
Their middle order was also under runs. Moeen Ali (148 runs) adapted well to the role of a pinch, while the presence of the ever reliable Suresh Raina (121 runs) gives the team a big cushion.
Then there are Ambati Rayadu (64 runs) and Ravindra Jadeja (109 runs) who have improved as batsmen and can loot sixes at will, apart from captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (37 runs), who these days seems content to play second fiddle . . Add Englishman Sam Curran and CSK to take any attack apart once they are in shape.
CSK bowlers led by Deepak Chahar (8 wickets) and Curran (6 wickets) did an excellent job, while Shardul Thakur, with four scalps, was able to prevail in breaking partnerships. Jadeja also shone with the ball and took five wickets, while Moeen had four, all hoping to be at their best against Mumbai.
Source: Telangana Today