Last Updated on 11 months ago by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2020 Match 41: CSK vs MI Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | CSK vs MI Dream11 Prediction Today | Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians Key Players | Sharjah Pitch Report

By this stage of the season, an MI-CSK matchup is usually a battle at the top of the IPL table. This season, however, the stakes are different, as Chennai Super Kings‘ season hangs by a thread.

There have been some key reasons as to why CSK have endured a poor season to date. One of them has been their lack of impact in the mdidle and death overs with the bat, which was highlighted most by their tame effort last time out against Rajasthan Royals. And, while their season remains alive – just – the disappointment in MS Dhoni and coach Stephen Fleming’s voices after that defeat is a worrying sign. So, the question is do CSK believe that they can keep their playoffs record alive?

To do that, they will have to beat the magnificent Mumbai Indians, just as they did in the IPL 2020 opener. However, lots has changed since then, with MI displaying the consistency and quality possessed by true champions. The Rohit Sharma-led side has won six of eight matches since that defeat, with both losses only coming via Super Overs. So, they have the chance here to build on a great record in a great rivalry to go top of the table, and end CSK’s season in the process.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Rohit Sharma appeared to have picked up a slight niggle in MI’s last match against KXIP. If he plays, he will be out to build on his record vs CSK, where he has the most runs in MI-CSK matches, out of current squad members (658, avg. 31.33, SR 128.02).
• Quinton de Kock is in terrific form. The South African keeper-batsman has hit four half-centuries in his last five knocks (67, 23, 53, 78* and 53).
• MS Dhoni’s less-than-average season has really hurt CSK. His strike rate of 125 in IPL 2020 is his lowest in a season since 2015 (122). So, with his team’s season on the line, can he deliver the goods against a team he has had past success against? (627 runs for CSK vs MI, avg. 36.88, SR 137.80).
• Kieron Pollard is having some season. The West Indian superstar has not been dismissed since the opening game against CSK, and is striking at exactly 200 in IPL 2020. Also, Pollard has a fine record vs CSK, with 520 runs at 32.50 and SR 163.52.
• With Dwayne Bravo out of the tournament with injury (details here), this further increases the Pollard threat as CSK have lost a key death bowler.
• Suryakumar Yadav has failed in his last two games (10 and 0) after hitting two consecutive fifties (79* and 53). Today, he plays a team whom he has a strong record against for MI: 6 inns, 249 runs, avg. 49.80, SR 129.02.
• Ambati Rayudu struck 71 against MI earlier this season. Also, CSK need Rayudu to carry on with his starts (30, 42, 41, 45* and 13 in his last five games).
• Shane Watson, who hasn’t had the same impact as previous seasons, averages below 20 for CSK vs MI (19.29). So, there is no better time than now for the Aussie to deliver the goods. His opening partner, Faf du Plessis, struck 58* (44) vs MI earlier this season, and is fourth in the Orange Cap race in IPL 2020 (375 runs).
• Ishan Kishan suffered what looked like a serious hamstring injury last game vs KXIP. So, Saurabh Tiwary could come back into the team. Tiwary hit 42 (31) vs CSK earlier this season.
• Hardik Pandya has a strike rate of 152.58 vs CSK (148 runs, avg. 37.00). He will be a key factor in the middle and death overs.
• Sam Curran is striking at just 108 as opener, so CSK could look to play him as a floater.
• Ravindra Jadeja has the second-most wickets for CSK vs MI (17 in 20 games). However, Jadeja has had a poor season with the ball (four wickets in 10 matches), with his greatest impact coming with the bat (121 runs in last five innings, one dismissal, SR 180.60).
• Jasprit Bumrah has been magnificent in IPL 2020. MI’s star bowler has taken 15 wickets in nine matches to date, including 12 in his past six matches.
• Trent Boult had a tough outing last game vs KXIP, so will be keen to bounce back. He has taken 12 wickets in nine matches in IPL 2020.
• Deepak Chahar has taken nine wickets in seven matches against MI, including 2/32 against them earlier this season.
• Will Imran Tahir finally play? He has seven wickets in six matches vs MI.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-Head: Matches 31, CSK 13, MI 18.
• Mumbai Indians beat Chennai Super Kings four times in IPL 2019. CSK won the first game of IPL 2020 vs MI by five wickets.
• Jasprit Bumrah has an excellent record vs Shane Watson (avg. 23.5, SR 87) and MS Dhoni (avg. 15.7, SR 92). Also, Bumrah needs three wickets to reach 100 in IPL and 200 in T20s overall.
• The economy rate of spinners in the last four games at Sharjah is 7.5, compared to the first four games where it was a high 10.5. This brings the likes of Rahul Chahar in the game (11 wickets in nine games in IPL 2020), and further enhances the case for CSK to play Imran Tahir.

Possible Playing 11

Dwayne Bravo is out for the remainder of IPL 2020 due to injury (details here). CSK chose to replace him Josh Hazlewood last time out, instead of Imran Tahir. Is this the game where Tahir finally gets a game?

Also, Kedar Jadhav is not offering much for CSK, as he is batting below the all-rounders. So, a youngster could come into the top order, with Sam Curran dropping back down the order as a floater.

Chennai Super Kings: 1. Faf du Plessis, 2. Shane Watson, 3. N Jagadeesan/Ruturaj Gaikwad, 4. Ambati Rayudu, 5. MS Dhoni (c & wk), 6. Sam Curran, 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Deepak Chahar, 9. Shardul Thakur, 10. Karn Sharma/KM Asif, 11. Josh Hazlewood/Imran Tahir

If MI decide to rest Rohit Sharma, then Chris Lynn could come in for his first game of IPL 2020 and Kieron Pollard would take over as captain. If Lynn plays, then MI will need to replace another overseas player with an Indian player. That would be Nathan Coulter-Nile.

Also, Ishan Kishan is at long odds to play after he was helped off the field in what looked to be a torn hamstring injury vs KXIP.

Mumbai Indians: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Rohit Sharma (c)/Chris Lynn, 3. Suryakumar Yadav, 4. Saurabh Tiwary, 5. Hardik Pandya, 6 Kieron Pollard, 7. Krunal Pandya, 8. Nathan Coulter-Nile/Dhawal Kulkarni, 9. Rahul Chahar, 10. Trent Boult, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Sharjah Pitch and Weather Report

After scores of 200+ in all of the first four matches at Sharjah in IPL 2020, there have been no 200+ scores in four matches since. Spinners have started to enjoy a little more success, and the chasing team has won each of the last two matches at this ground. So, with dew around, the captain who wins the toss could look to chase, despite CSK’s chasing worries in 2020.

Dream11 Prediction

Also read: How to create multiple teams in Dream11 and its benefit

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

It is a common saying that a franchise like CSK should never be written off. However, MI look far more settled, and are in much better form. MI to win.

Thanks for reading!