On Friday (October 23), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will face Mumbai Indians (MI) for the second time in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. The two teams will meet at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah.
Languishing at the bottom of the points table with winning only three matches out of 10, CSK is virtually knocked out of the playoffs. MS Dhoni, however, will attack the defending champion with full power to lift themselves above in the table to end the tournament at a respectable position.
Although CSK had won the season opener against MI, this time task easy will not be easy for them with Dwayne Bravo being ruled out because of injury.
After the last defeat against Rajasthan Royals, MS Dhoni had said that they will give a chance to youngsters as they now don’t have any pressure. So, let’s take a look at how CSK’s playing XI might look against MI.
Chennai Super Kings predicted XI against MI:
1. Sam Curran:
Sam Curran, who has been promoted as the opener to give a fiery start to CSK, had scored just 22 runs in 25 balls in the last match against RR. His slow start had added pressure on the middle-order. The allrounder will look to redeem against Mumbai Indians.
2. Faf du Plessis:
Faf du Plessis is the leading scorer for Chennai Super Kings. In 10 matches, he has amassed 375 runs, including four half-centuries, at an average of 46.87 and a strike rate of 141. 50.
Against Mumbai Indians, in the first meeting, he had scored unbeaten 58 runs and sealed the win for CSK.
3. Shane Watson:
After struggling at the start of the tournament, Shane Watson found his form back, but it has not been up to the scratch performance from the veteran. He has scored 285 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 125.00 and an average of 31.66.
4. Ambati Rayudu:
Ambati Rayudu scored just 13 runs in 19 balls before losing his wicket to Rahul Tewatia in the last match. Chennai Super Kings will expect him to repeat the gun-blazing performance of the season opener.
5. MS Dhoni (c & wk):
After retiring from international cricketer in August, MS Dhoni would have dreamt of leading CSK to lift the trophy this season. But the thing didn’t go according to the Chennai Super Kings captain. Not only the team’s performance but his batting performance has also slumped this season. The wicketkeeper-batsman, however, will like to give his best shot against arch-rivals.
6. N Jagdeesan:
N Jagadeesan featured in only one match and was dropped out of the team. As now CSK is likely to give chances to the youngster, he might get a place in the XI while Kedar Jadhav, who has been criticized for his presence, might be dropped.
7. Ravindra Jadeja:
Ravindra Jadeja has also faded away this season. He has conceded away too many runs with his spin bowling although the pitch favoured him. In 10 matches, the spinner has picked up four wickets at an economy rate of 9.34.
As far as his batting is concerned, he has scored 194 runs in ten matches at the strike rate of 164.60.
8. Shardul Thakur:
Shardul Thakur has been the key player for Chennai Super Kings, picking nine wickets in seven matches. He has picked prized wickets in crunch situations. His power-hitting ability adds depth in the batting order although he has not got the chance to bat.
9. Josh Hazlewood:
As Dwayne Bravo has been ruled out, Josh Hazlewood would get the chance in the playing XI. He has played in two matches this season but picked up only one wicket. Chennai Super Kings will expect him to fill up the space of Bravo.
10. Karn Sharma:
Karn Sharma, off-spinner, has also produced desired results as he picked up four wickets in four matches at the economy rate of 8.66. He is likely to maintain his spot in the XI against MI.
11. Deepak Chahar:
Against RR, Deepak Chahar had given two early breakthroughs to keep the hope of Chennai Super Kings alive even though they had set up a below-par target. However, the team can not carry the momentum forward and eventually lost the match by seven wickets. The pacer will play a crucial role again to take them in a good position against Mumbai Indians.