Indian Premier League 2019 Match 15, Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Mumbai Indians will host Chennai Super Kings for the 15th match of IPL 2019. With 3 wins in 3 matches, Chennai are comfortably placed at the top of the points table in the tournament. Mumbai, on the other hand, have won 1 (that too a close, controversial win) and lost 2.

Chennai had bowled out Bangalore for 70 in the tournament opener before strolling to a win. They chased down the target in the Delhi Capitals match with just 2 balls to spare, but the margin flatters Delhi more than Chennai. And it took an MS Dhoni special and a superb last over by Dwayne Bravo to seal the Rajasthan Royals match.

Mumbai have lost to Delhi by 37 runs and to Kings XI Punjab by 8 wickets. Their only win came against Bangalore, that too when the umpire failed to notice Lasith Malinga overstepping off the last ball.

Having said that, Mumbai do boast of a strong unit, especially a formidable fast bowling attack. It is time they get their act together to prevent Chennai’s unstoppable run.

Head to head

Chennai might be the most successful team in IPL history, but Mumbai do hold a 13-11 advantage over them. They met twice and won once each last season.

Mumbai put up 165/4 with forties from Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, and Krunal Pandya, Shane Watson taking 2/29 and Deepak Chahar 3-0-14-1. In response, Chennai were reduced to 118/8 by Mayank Markande (3/23) and Hardik Pandya (3/24). Then Dwayne Bravo (68 in 31) added 41 for the 9th wicket in 15 balls.

Yadav, and Krunal Pandya, Shane Watson taking 2/29 and Deepak Chahar 3-0-14-1. In response, Chennai were reduced to 118/8 by Mayank Markande (3/23) and Hardik Pandya (3/24). Then Dwayne Bravo (68 in 31) added 41 for the 9th wicket in 15 balls.

With 7 to score off the last over, an injured Kedar Jadhav limped out. He played out four dot balls before smashing Mustafizur Rahman for a four and a six to seal the match.

Mumbai had their revenge at Chepauk, where Chennai put up 169/5 thanks to Suresh Raina’s unbeaten 47-ball 75. Surya (44), Evin Lewis (47), and Rohit Sharma (56*) saw Mumbai home with 2 balls to spare.

Key players

Quinton de Kock (Mumbai Indians): If Mumbai have not done well in the tournament, it has been despite de Kock’s effort, not because of them. De Kock has scored 27, 23, and 60 in the tournament, striking at 147. Mumbai will definitely want him to continue with that kind of form. The ‘keeping is a bonus.

Deepak Chahar (Chennai Super Kings): Chahar is probably the least glamorous name in the Chennai attack. However, put a 5-over cut-off, and economy of 4.67 is the best in the tournaments across teams. Expect him to go about his business again, in his unfussed, nonchalant way, as the others keep pegging away at the wickets.

Likely XIs

Mumbai Indians: Quinton de Kock (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Yuvraj Singh, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Mitchell McClenaghan, Mayank Markande, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah.

Chennai Super Kings: Ambati Rayudu, Shane Watson, Suresh Raina, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Dwayne Bravo, Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Imran Tahir.

Prediction

The momentum is with Chennai. They should prevail despite Mumbai’s home advantage.