MI vs CSK IPL 2019: Can a struggling Mumbai challenge seamless CSK?

This is the big one in IPL. The clash of titans. MI vs CSK. The arch rivals are all set to resume their IPL rivalry but the contest is tilted towards one side.

CSK have been all dominant throughout this season of Indian Premier League while Mumbai have  been erratic. CSK seem to have covered all their bases while gaping holes in Mumbai’s unit are easily visible.

Venue:

Wankhede stadium has a reputation of being a heaven for batsmen. And in the first game of IPL season 12, close to 400 runs were scored.

Expect the same again as both sides have the firepower to tonk the ball in the stands.

Ready to get all the whistles going in Wankhede! #WhistlePodu #Yellove #MIvCSK ?? pic.twitter.com/mIYIdJcQMH

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 2, 2019

Form guide:

Story of contrasts. CSK have been highly consistent with their players stepping up at the required hour while MI have failed to find the perfect combination.

Dhoni has shown his magic, Bravo has displayed his class while Watson and Co. have got the runs with ease.

The middle order has put Mumbai in difficult situations while their bowling attack has leaked runs at all stages of the innings.

Key Numbers: 

• Although the current form doesn’t favour Mumbai, the history is with them. In head to head  battles they they lead 13-11. And in the last five games they lead 4-1.

Also check the  MI vs CSK Playerzpot Prediction here.

• Jason Behrendorff who has just arrived in India has some amazing numbers in T20 cricket . His economy is a mere 6.2 and his every wicket costs the team just 18.6 runs.  So curtains close for Mitchell McClenaghan?

Players in focus:

With 85 runs in three innings, Suresh Raina has had a quiet season so far in IPL 2019. But he has enjoyed batting against Mumbai Indians. Against the bowlers of Mumbai Indians, barring Lasith Malinga, Raina has a strike rate of above 140 and no Mumbai Indians bowler has got him out more than once except Malinga (two times).

Also don’t forget to check out the top three players for MI vs CSK here.

Quinton de Kock has scored 110 runs in 3 innings so far in IPL season 12 but importantly has a strike rate of 146.66, his second best in all IPL seasons. He is a crucial player for Mumbai as he is in terrific form in 2019.

He averages a whopping 56.87 across all formats this year and has ten 50 plus scores in 16 innings.