Chennai Super Kings face Mumbai Indians in match 41 of IPL 2020 in Sharjah. Both these teams played the first game of the season where Chennai beat Mumbai by five wickets to get off to a winning start. However, since then, the campaign has been polar opposite for both teams. While Mumbai Indians have won seven games since then, CSK have lost seven. MS Dhoni has been hugely criticised for his decision making and tactics as a skipper throughout the tournament. With only four games remaining, it is unlikely for CSK to win all four and make it to the playoffs. More about the CSK vs MI match preview in detail below.
The CSK team skipper MS Dhoni and the team management has hinted at some big changes in the team after their consecutive string of losses. Dhoni spoke about the youngsters in the team now being given a chance in the fag end of the league stage.
Furthermore, CSK coach Stephen Fleming spoke about this season the team being not quite there and missing the intent in their approach. CK has just not found ways to win despite the best efforts of their players. It will be interesting to see the approach of Dhoni in these last few games starting with the big one against Mumbai Indians. CSK still have a very faint chance of making it to the playoffs, provided they managed to win these games by big margins.
Also Read: IPL 2020: 3 Players Who Can Lead CSK If MS Dhoni Sits Out vs MI
Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians Round 2
Mumbai Indians have looked a well-oiled machine in the IPL 2020. They have buried their past ghosts at this venue and in a new season have been almost unbeatable. They were rather unfortunate to two games in the Super Over. Apart from that, they have won their rest of the games comprehensively.
Almost one the doorstep of another playoff qualification, they are also rotating the players. This has been a key aspect of their game this year that they have not looked to change much. Against a depleted CSK at the moment, Mumbai have yet another chance to bag a big win and make the playoff road smoother.
Head to Head
Mumbai lead the head to headcount by 17 to 12 out of 29 games. Meanwhile, it was CSK who beat them in the first leg. However, a lot has changed for the two teams since then.
Pitch & Weather Conditions
The pitch in Sharjah has changed considerably in the second phase of the league stage. Captains winning the toss have opted to bat first. Rohit has been also very vocal about the same. Dhoni too has batted first in the tosses that he has won in the second leg. Despite the pitches slowing down, a score of over 160 is expected in the contest.
Team News
Dwayne Bravo is the latest player to be ruled out of IPL 2020. This just adds to the woes of CSK all the more. The management however said that they are not willing to seek any replacement for him. As Dhoni said a few youngsters will be given a look in, May be CSK will be prompted to give Imran Tahir a few games at the back end as well.
Mumbai are coming into this game after a four-day break. Despite losing the game against Punjab in the Super Over, a change from their camp is unlikely.
Also Read: Chennai Super Kings To Take Some Bold Decisions Ahead Of Next IPL
Squads
Chennai Super Kings
MS Dhoni (c & wk), Shane Watson, Murali Vijay, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Piyush Chawla, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, KM Asif, Imran Tahir, N Jagadeesan, Karn Sharma, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Santner, Monu Kumar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sam Curran, Josh Hazlewood, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore
Mumbai Indians
Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Digvijay Deshmukh, Aditya Tare (wk), Saurabh Tiwary, Jasprit Bumrah, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Rahul Chahar, Chris Lynn, Hardik Pandya, Sherfane Rutherford, Anmolpreet Singh, Mohsin Khan, Mitchell McClenaghan, Prince Balwant Rai, Anukul Roy, Ishan Kishan, Dhawal Kulkarni, Trent Boult, Jayant Yadav, Suryakumar Yadav, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Pattinson
Also Read: IPL 2020 Playoffs Race For The Bottom 5 Teams
