Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings Preview – 19-09-2020
Updated: 06/10/2024
IPL 2020 preview: Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings – Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Saturday, September 19, 2020 – 15:00hrs BST.
Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings Preview
After much speculation, debate and obstacles, the Indian Premier League of 2020 is all set to take off in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) instead of the country of its origin which is currently witnessing a steep rise in coronavirus cases.
The opening match to be held in front of near empty stands at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, will nevertheless be expected of top quality with the two of the most consistent teams in IPL history – reigning champions Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – pitted against each other.
MI and CSK were in fact the finalists in the previous edition, a classic that saw MI scrape home with a 1-run win.
CSK have been hit hard by the sudden decision of their star run-getter Suresh Raina to return home and followed suit by ace veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh.
CSK evokes more emotion than any other IPL team among its followers what with their iconic 39-year old skipper MS Dhoni retiring from international cricket.
Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis will probably open the batting for Cthe Chennai team. Watson is known to be a slow starter but once he gets his eye in, there can be few more dangerous hitters in the game than the Australian all-rounder.
In the absence of the quarantined Josh Hazelwood and Sam Curran, Watson may well be asked to open the attack with the ball, too. But at 39, he may just be past his peak.
South African captain Du Plessis is pretty good against the spinners as well but like Watson age is not on the side of the 36-year old.
The very useful Ambati Rayadu could come in at number three in Raina’s absence and MS Dhoni may choose to come at number 4 as well.
Ravindra Jadeja or Kedar Jadhav also could fill in the No.4 spot if necessary. Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo and maybe Mitchell Santner are the all-rounders that will form the lower-middle order.
With wrist spinners South African Imran Tahir Piyush Chawla/Karn Sharma thrown in, the bowling attack is strong and could trouble the Mumbai Indians but the batting looks below par when compared to previous seasons.
For four-time champions Mumbai Indians, limited-over legend and captain Rohit Sharma will open the innings. Rohit had a successful season in 2019 piling up 405 runs.
He will be partnered at the top by 2019's top run-getter Quinton de Kock (529 runs) and Suryakumar Yadav will probably come in at Number 3.
But this is a matter of debate as the captain may be tempted to bring in Chris Lynn in that slot and push Yadav down the order.
Power-hitters Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, and Hardik Pandya give the team a strong middle-order. Pollard, especially, has been in scintillating form and looks better than ever before.
The bowling quartet is impressive with fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult (two of the best in the business), Mitchell McClenaghan and Rahul Chahar lined-up.
MI are deficient in the department of spin bowling which could be a hindrance if the track plays slowly.
MI are favourites to take the Abu Dhabi game but their poor track record in UAE where they lost all their four games back-to-back some years before, could play on their minds.
Plus there is always the canny tactician Dhoni who can pull off the improbable for CSK. Back in 2018, CSK came back after a 2-year ban and won the title with a team which was considered to be seriously “aging”.
Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings Betting Odds
Bet365 odds are subject to change and were correct as of 18/09/2020.
- Mumbai Indians to win: 8/11
- Chennai Super Kings: 11/10
Odds to win the toss
- Mumbai Indians to win: 10/11
- Chennai Super Kings: 10/11
Top Chennai Super Kings Batsman
Shane Watson: 3/1
Faf du Plessis: 3/1
Murali Vijay: 4/1
Ambati Rayudu: 7/2
MS Dhoni: 7/1
Dwayne Bravo: 12/1
Kedar Jadhav: 7/1 (WilliamHill)
Top Chennai Super Kings Bowler
Imran Tahir: 9/4
Deepak Chahar: 10/3
Dwayne Bravo: 7/2
Mitchell Santner: 4/1
Piyush Chawla: 4/1
Karn Sharma: 9/2
Shardul Thakur: 9/2
Ravindra Jadeja: 7/2
Top Mumbai Indians Batsman
Rohit Sharma: 11/4
Quinton de Kock: 11/4
Chris Lynn: 4/1
Suryakumar Yadav: 4/1 (WilliamHill)
Ishan Kishan: 5/1
Keiron Pollard: 13/2
Hardik Pandya: 8/1
Top Mumbai Indians Bowlers
Jasprit Bumrah: 2/1
Trent Boult: 3/1
Mitchell McClenaghan: 4/1 (Betfair)
Hardik Pandya: 9/2
Rahul Chahar: 4/1 (Betfair)
Man of the Match:
Rohit Sharma: 9/1
Quinton de Kock: 9/1
Dwayne Bravo: 16/1
Ravindra Jadeja: 16/1
Keiron Pollard: 12/1
Hardik Pandya: 11/1
Jasprit Bumrah: 12/1
MS Dhoni: 12/1
Imran Tahir: 11/1
More Runs in first 6 overs
Mumbai Indians: 4/5
Chennai Super Kings: 1/1
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