IPL 2019, Match 44, CSK vs MI: Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

CSK is yet to defeat MI at Chepauk since 2010.

Published - 25 Apr 2019, 18:46 IST | Updated - 25 Apr 2019, 18:46 IST

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Mumbai Indians (MI) may have won the previous face-off between the two teams comfortably but this encounter holds a special significance. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be facing MI at the Chepauk for the first time since 2015. They are yet to defeat them since 2010 and the Men in Yellow will be itching to set the records straight against the team which has troubled them throughout the IPL.

The last team to defeat the hosts in Chennai was MI and the fact that CSK are unbeaten at home this season sets up for a mouth-watering contest. As far as CSK’s campaign in the ongoing edition is concerned, they have almost qualified for the playoffs. A victory in this game will confirm the same after which they will be concentrating on finishing in the top two in order to get an extra chance to go into the finals.

Though it won’t be easy at all against the Mumbai-based franchise that has 12 points table and is targetting the second spot with a win. Rohit Sharma‘s men peaked early this season and there are only a few loopholes in the line-up at the moment. Frequent injuries have troubled them though. They lost the previous game against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the team still needs to win at least two out of the four matches in the league stage to get to the next phase. The time has come for them to be consistent and this is where they are the most dangerous side.

Pitch Report

The 22 yards at the MA Chidambaram stadium has been a surface for the spinners this season. Before the CSK-SRH game, the average score batting first at the venue in the four matches this season was 128.5. But the previous match proved to be a high-scoring affair and it seemed as if the pitch was relaid after the criticism from all the corners. Having said that, there will be some turn on offer for the tweakers in this game as well.

Weather Conditions

When it comes to the weather in Chennai, the first thing that comes to the mind is humidity. It will be around 75% during this match as well. There is no rain in the forecast while it will remain cloudy throughout the action in the middle. The temperature will hover around 30-31 degrees Celsius.

Team Combinations

Chennai Super Kings

MS Dhoni doesn’t believe in changing the winning combination so often. Even this year, he has tweaked the bowling attack based on the conditions but the core of the team has remained the same. CSK aren’t expected to make any changes for this game either. The batting department is still a matter of concern for them. Though Shane Watson returning to form must’ve relieved the team management.

Probable XI: Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Harbhajan Singh, Deepak Chahar, Imran Tahir.

Mumbai Indians

MI baffled everyone by keeping Ben Cutting in the playing XI in the previous game. With two all-rounders already in the side, Cutting’s role wasn’t clear and the Australian was utilised in a better way. They might opt to bring back Ishan Kishan in his place which will strengthen the middle-order. Kishan missed a couple of matches as he was unwell and should be fit now to feature in this blockbuster game.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Krunal Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Mayank Markande, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah.

Probable Top Performer

Faf du Plessis – CSK

Faf du Plessis didn’t feature in the first few matches. But Dhoni had to include him after the first few matches as Rayudu failed at the top of the order. The South African skipper made an immediate impact and looked a solution to their opening woes. But he has gone quiet in the last couple of outings and is due a big knock. It will be interesting to see the way he tackles the likes of Bumrah and Malinga upfront.

Rohit Sharma – MI

Best players bring their A game to the fore in the crunch matches. Rohit Sharma is definitely one of them and he would love to regain form in this game. He has mustered only 228 runs in nine matches so far at an average of 25.33 and certainly deserves better numbers for a player of his stature. One shouldn’t be surprised if Rohit plays a match-winning knock for his team.