Cricket-turned-commentator Mohammad Kaif feels it will difficult for the five-time champions Mumbai Indians to defeat in-form Chennai Super Kings in the iconic Wankhede stadium. Mumbai Indians will look to register their first win of the season against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings in the high-octane clash on Saturday.
As one of the most famous rivalries in the Indian Premier League (IPL) between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is about underway on Saturday, Experts have shared their views on the match between champions. Speaking on Star Sports, Mohammad Kaif said that it would difficult to beat CSK on any ground in India.
“MI always looks strong at home but CSK is difficult to beat on any ground. In such a situation, MI will have to work hard at Wankhede to get their first two points of this season,” Mohammad Kaif told Star Sports.
On the other hand, his former team-mate Irfan Pathan has picked Mumbai Indians as the favourites going into the contest citing the home condition as an advantage for the five-time champions.
“It is difficult to pick one winner between MI and CSK but since MI is playing at home this time, they have better chances of winning this game,” Irfan Pathan told Star Sports.
According to the reports, four-time champions Chennai Super Kings might be without the services of their all-rounder Ben Stokes for the high-octane clash against their arch-rivals Mumbai Indians on Saturday as Ben Stokes hurt his heel during the practice session at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday and looked at the pain and has been advised to rest for 10 days.
Mumbai Indians will look to register their first win in the league stage, as they will look to address their top order and bowling woes as early as possible this season to avoid a repeat of last season, where they finished at the bottom of the points table.
Gautam Gambhir Would Have Been Watching This Match – Mohammad Kaif Warns Virat Kohli Ahead Of His 3rd Match
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif reminded the huge concern in Virat Kohli’s batting against spin bowling in recent times as the star batter looked vulnerable against quality spinners in all formats of the game. Kohli was cleaned up by Sunil Narine on his very first over.
Kaif analyzed Virat Kohli’s weakness against the spinners–and also warned that LSG’s mentor Gautam Gambhir would’ve kept close eyes on this match, as RCB will play their next game against Lucknow.
“It has become a concern and Gautam Gambhir would have been watching this match. The next match is against Lucknow,” Mohammad Kaif said.
Royal Challengers Bangalore lost their 9 out of 10 wickets to Kolkata Knight Riders spinning trio of Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine, and Suyash Sharma.