Before Chennai Super Kings experienced the worst performance in IPL 2020, they had beaten Mumbai Indians in the opener last year. But here the top tussle between the two champions takes place at the end of the first round. According to M. S. Dhoni, on the pitches of UAE, he had little chance to capitalize his strength with bowling and of course his work behind the wicket. This year they just bounced back with almost the same team. Just two or three things took them to the top of the table. Rituraj Gaikwad’s performance, Moeen Ali’s inclusion and Dhoni’s experience on Indian soil.
Mumbai Indians are also with the same team of the earlier edition of the tournament. With the middle order crumbling again and again, they are a little bit behind on the table. In the last game against Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai’s middle order returned to its regular form and they will be hoping to keep it intact against CSK.
Preview of Match 27, CSK vs Mumbai Indians
Rituraj Gaikwad’s run in the tournament alongside Faf du Plessis are going to pain a number of oppositions, as the way he is batting in the last few games is just excellent. Every time he times the ball, it’s lovely on the eye. He is excellent both off the backfoot and the frontfoot. And Faf du Plessis is exceptionally fit. Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayadu have not yet flourished fully, but were always in the game. Moeen Ali proved that he was a fantastic buy for his franchise. Down the order Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja are absolute limited over giants who can take on Mumbai Indians big names in the attack.
Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur are T20 specialists, as they have enough variations to keep the batsmen guessing. Chennai have a number of options of bowling as Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali are playing the role of premier bowlers. Lungi Ngidi is the only fast bowler playing for the side.
No one questions the bowling combination of Mumbai Indians, but what they need is match by match performance. They are a bit off the track. Though Jasprit Bumrah is accurate with the length, Trent Boult and others have to concentrate on theirs. Delhi ground is short and therefore it’s very tough to prevent the batsman scoring. The spinners are bowling well for their side.
Quinton de Kock looks like getting his rhythm back. As I started, it’s their middle order that is badly in need of a resurrection. Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya must be back to their fluency. They have a strong batting line up. Before this line-up reaches Kyron Pollard and Krunal Pandya, it’s in the middle is more of that.
To Conclude
Both the teams have respective flaws. While Chennai have a long batting stretched almost to number 9, M. S. Dhoni, Raina and Rayadu failed to make a mark. On the other hand Mumbai’s performance is not going parallel with their ability. It’s a short ground and easier to hit over the on-field. But the pitch is also getting slow with the lapse of a few overs. Though twice chased down, It’ll be better to bat on winning the toss.
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