Indian Premier League 2019, Qualifier 1, Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Right, on to the serious stuff. Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, the two best sides of the IPL 2019 league stage – or indeed, in IPL history – fittingly clash to become the first to reach the final, an opportunity which comes with the bonus of having four days of rest in between the matches.

The losing side will have to play the winner of the Eliminator between Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad, and see them off in the Second Qualifier before playing the final with just a day in between to spare.

The benefits are quite evident. And at the outset, it must be said that Mumbai are favourites, even though Chennai are playing at home (although the designated home side is Mumbai), and have an incredible record at Chepauk. Why? Because Mumbai have had the wood over Chennai in their last few outings.

They were victorious in both their league encounters, with Rohit Sharma starring with a 67 when they clashed at the Chepauk. Chennai’s 46-run loss on that occasion dented their NRR significantly.

That said, Chennai usually are a hard team to bet against in the Playoffs, with MS Dhoni’s expertise and knowhow playing a big role in that claim. The worry for the home side is how they will cope without Kedar Jadhav, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a shoulder injury.

All of which means, Mumbai have a slight edge here. They have peaked at the right time – a hallmark of all their victorious IPL campaigns – and Dhoni will need to bring out every last trick to stop them.

Head to head

Mumbai have recently broken away from Chennai in what had been till then a close race. In 28 matches, Mumbai have won 16 to Chennai’s 12.

Mumbai have won 3 consecutive matches against Chennai, going back to their second clash in IPL 2018, and it is a streak Chennai will be desperate to snap.

Key players

MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings): The Chennai captain has been the one reason the side’s batting has held up this season – the line-up has been far too inconsistent otherwise. The last time these two sides met in Chepauk, Dhoni was absent through illness, and the side promptly collapsed to 109. Dhoni will hope to avoid a similar return.

Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians): Rohit had a slow start to IPL 2019, but has slowly grown into it, with 2 of his 4 half-centuries coming in his last 4 matches. One of those fifties came in Chepauk, the last time these two sides met. Chennai will be wary.

Likely XIs

Mumbai Indians: Quinton de Kock (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Anukul Roy, Rahul Chahar, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah.

Chennai Super Kings: Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c/wk), Dhruv Shorey, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir.

Prediction

Mumbai are in fine fettle. Expect them to secure that final berth at the first time of asking.