Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians Player Battles Preview:
CSK vs MI Key Player Battles: The battle for playoffs is well and truly one. There isn’t one single game that doesn’t hold context in the larger scheme of things. To add to the drama, there is arguably the most iconic matchup in IPL history. But right in the middle of this heat, this El Classico for the first time appears to have lost its sting. Two teams high on pride will battle it out for the honours.
We look at the key player battles in this match:
#1 Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Daniel Sams
There is something about Mumbai that gets the best out of Ruturaj Gaikwad. He was the lone warrior for CSK against MI in 2021. Gaikwad’s unbeaten innings was the one that took CSK to safer shores. He has found form in the recent few games after a disappointing start to the season.
Gaikwad will have to face Daniel Sams in the powerplay. The left-arm seamer has managed to move the ball significantly in the last couple of games. It is one area where Gaikwad will be susceptible early on. The one who wins this battle will have made a definite impact on the game.
#2 Ambati Rayudu vs Jasprit Bumrah
In IPL 2021, Ambati Rayudu played one of the knocks of the tournament against Mumbai. He scored a 27-ball 70 that took apart Mumbai’s bowling. Rayudu was particularly severe on Jasprit Bumrah. He is one of those very few batters who has a fine track record against Bumrah. Rayudu continues to be CSK’s lynchpin in the middle order. He will be facing up to Bumrah who breathed fire in the last game against KKR. This battle during the middle-overs will decide what score CSK ends up posting.
#3 Rohit Sharma vs Mukesh Choudhary
The Chennai Super Kings greenhorn, Mukesh Choudhary was the player of the match, the last time these two sides met. It was Choudhary’s opening burst that tilted the game in CSK’s favour. He caught Rohit Sharma off guard in the first over. Sharma’s early dismissal worked wonders for CSK. Rohit was struggling with form back then. He kicked into some form in the game against Gujarat. Sharma will be keen to make it count against CSK. If Sharma gets the better of Choudhary, Mumbai Indians will be in driving seat already.
#4 Tim David vs Dwayne Bravo
The buzz around Tim David was well worth it. He put on quite a show in the game against Gujarat. His stellar finish earned him his first player of the match award in the IPL. David has been severe on anything that is bowled on a length. He will look to tee off right from the word go. David will be up against one of the IPL’s best, Dwayne Bravo. The Chennai Super Kings veteran continues to outfox batsmen at the death. Their battle will play a huge role in swinging the momentum in favour of their teams.
