The legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni will probably be in the spotlight in what may very well be his closing sport on the iconic Wankhede Stadium when defending champions Chennai Super Kings tackle Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League in Mumbai on April 14, 2024.
Dhoni returns to the hallowed turf of Wankhede for the primary time ever as a non-captain of the CSK, probably in his final IPL season. It may also be his first look as only a participant for any workforce since November 2005.
Even at 42, Dhoni’s glove-work stays impeccable and so does his evaluation of the sport like all the time. But CSK will hope that his tactical acumen additionally helps them enhance a dismal away file this season, having suffered two defeats on the highway.
CSK would additionally hope their latest file in opposition to MI — 4 wins in final 5 matches together with their seven-wicket win in Mumbai final season — holds them in good stead.
Two of IPL’s most profitable groups with 5 titles every, each side are witnessing a tectonic shift of management change with Hardik Pandya taking up the mantle from Rohit Sharma at MI and Ruturaj Gaikwad succeeding Dhoni at CSK, however there’s nothing that implies their intense rivalry would anticipate any such shift.
If something, CSK’s bowlers may very well be put to sword by the rampaging MI batters who’ve gone hammer and tongs on the flat pitches right here, scoring in extra of 230 in opposition to Delhi Capitals and chasing down almost 200 in opposition to Royal Challengers Bengaluru with greater than 4 overs to spare.
Pandya’s MI have discovered their footing after a jittery begin. Their batters have completed properly in the final two outings and Suryakumar Yadav’s 17-ball fifty in opposition to RCB supplies an ominous signal to CSK bowlers, who’ve proven mastery on gradual, turning pitches on the Chepauk however stay untested on flat, batting-friendly surfaces.
Ishan Kishan (161 runs) and Rohit’s opening stand would thus be essential in the scheme of issues however CSK would even have quite a lot of assurance with their very own batting.
Skipper Gaikwad is probably not a marauder with the bat however he may be the silent enforcer in the CSK line-up, which has the exuberance of Rachin Ravindra on the high, sturdiness of Daryl Mitchell in the center and explosiveness of Shivam Dube (176 runs), Ravindra Jadeja and Dhoni in the dying overs.
CSK would additionally remember that seeing off the dexterous Jasprit Bumrah (10 wickets) and going after the remainder of the MI bowling can be the important thing, because the others have given away runs at alarming price whereas battling their line and lengths on placid surfaces.
Despite Bumrah’s five-wicket haul, MI leaked runs at a excessive price to permit RCB get nearer to the 200-run mark right here a number of nights in the past.
Lots will probably be driving on Shardul Thakur and Tushar Deshpande for CSK, who each return to their residence floor, however Mustafizur Rahman (9 wickets) and the wily Jadeja can be those to be careful for given their latest exploits.
On their half, groups say “we want to get as many runs as possible” however by the look of it, scores round 220-230 whereas batting first may very well be one of the best ways attainable to make sure an upperhand at this venue.
Teams (from):
Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (c), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Dewald Brevis, Jasprit Bumrah, Piyush Chawla, Gerald Coetzee, Tim David, Shreyas Gopal, Ishan Kishan (wk), Anshul Kamboj, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Kwena Maphaka, Mohammad Nabi, Shams Mulani, Naman Dhir, Shivalik Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Arjun Tendulkar, Nuwan Thushara, Tilak Varma, Harvik Desai, Nehal Wadhera, Luke Wood.
Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni (wk), Aravelly Avanish (wk), Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Shaik Rasheed, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, RS Hangargekar, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nishant Sindhu, Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Mukesh Choudhary, Mustafizur Rahman, Matheesha Pathirana, Simarjeet Singh, Prashant Solanki, Shardul Thakur, Maheesh Theekshana, Sameer Rizvi.
Match begins 7:30PM IST.
