Ahead of the MI vs CSK match in IPL 2023, Harbhajan Singh has said that the environment of a match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is similar to that of an India vs Pakistan encounter.
Harbhajan Singh is one of the few players to have played for both Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He played for MI for the first ten years in the league and won the title three times with them, while also captaining the side in initial editions of the tournament.
The veteran off-spinner then joined the CSK team ahead of the IPL 2018 and won the title with them that season. He last played in the IPL in 2021, before calling time on his cricketing career in 2022.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said that MI’s games with CSK create an environment similar to that of India versus Pakistan matches.
“When both these great teams compete against each other, then they create an environment similar to the one of India-Pakistan. I have been part of many of their matches. If you want to become a great player, then you have to perform in these kinds of matches,” Harbhajan Singh said.
MI and CSK are the two most successful teams in the IPL, with nine titles in between them.
Harbhajan Singh Backed MI Captain Rohit Sharma To Have A Good Game
The veteran off-spinner, who played 103 Tests, 236 ODIs, and 28 T20Is for India from 1998-2016, backed MI captain Rohit Sharma to have a good game, adding that it is very difficult to beat MI at the Wankhede. MI is the most successful team in the IPL, having won five titles.
“In big matches, a big player should perform. So I believe Rohit Sharma will score and Suryakumar Yadav should bat at No.3. If Green plays with Tim David lower in the batting order then both can be destructive. The match is at the Wankhede Stadium and beating Mumbai Indians at this venue is very difficult. Both teams have a great batting order,” said Harbhajan.
He also predicted that the team that wins the toss will opt to bowl first.
“The team winning the toss first will definitely opt for bowling and look to chase the target. This is a chasing venue, very short ground and good bounce. Both teams don’t have enough bowling power but Mumbai’s bowling is comparatively better than Chennai. The team winning the toss first will have the advantage,” said Harbhajan.
CSK have won one and lost one game in IPL 2023, while MI lost to RCB in their tournament opener.