CRICKET
IPL 2023 Predictions: MI vs CSK
Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians will face MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings in Match 12 of Indian Premier League 2023 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai today.
Mumbai Indians continued the trend of losing their first game of the season.
When they lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore, it was their eleventh season in a row in which they lost the opener.
Chennai Super Kings also lost their first game of the season against Gujarat Titans. But they went on to win the next one against Lucknow Supergiants.
The pitch at the iconic Wankhede Stadium is known to favor the batters.
Given that both Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have strong batting line-ups, a high-scoring match can be expected.
The wicket is flat and hard, making it easier for the batters to score runs quickly, and the quick outfield of the ground only adds to this advantage.
It is likely that whichever skipper wins the toss will choose to bat first in the contest.
Mumbai have beaten Chennai three times in the last five outings, including the most recent one last year.
The teams have played 36 matches in the IPL with Mumbai winning 21 and CSK 15 games.
Mumbai Indians have also defeated CSK in three IPL finals.
MS Dhoni and co will be hoping to make things even and take another 2 points from their trip to Wankhede.
The MS Dhoni-led side is now placed in sixth position on the IPL points table.
Mumbai’s problem is that their batting has looked vulnerable against the new ball.
Tilak Varma was the only batter who had a major contribution with the bat in the last game.
Moreover, their bowling was completely outplayed with the likes of Jofra Archer and Jason Behrendorff struggling to settle down.
For CSK, Ruturaj Gaikwad is in great batting form. He is currently the highest run-scorer with two back to back half centuries.
However, his record at the Wankhede Stadium is not great. In addition, he could manage only seven runs in the last two outings against Mumbai Indians.
CSK’s bowling remains a major concern.
With a flat track and a small ground ahead of them, the bowlers have a huge job on hand.
Mumbai on the other hand will relish being back in Mumbai and facing off against a weaker bowling attack, which will help the likes of Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav find their rhythm.
Wankhede Stadium T20 stats
Wankhede Stadium Score Records:
| Total matches: | 9 |
| Batting first won: | 4 (44%) |
| Bowling first won: | 5 (55%) |
| 1st inn avg score: | 185 |
| 2nd inn avg score: | 174 |
| Highest Total: | 240/3 |
| Lowest Total: | 160/10 |
| Highest Chased: | 230/8 |
| Lowest Defended: | 143/6 |
Mumbai Indians Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Cameron Green, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Nehal Wadhera, Hrithik Shokeen, Piyush Chawla, Jofra Archer, Jason Behrendorff
Chennai Super Kings Playing XI:
Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Shivam Dube, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, RS Hangargekar
CSK’s Top Five Batters Last Season
| Players | Matches | Runs | Average |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 14 | 368 | 26.28 |
| Shivam Dube | 11 | 289 | 28.90 |
| Ambati Rayudu | 13 | 274 | 24.90 |
| Devon Conway | 7 | 252 | 42.00 |
| Moeen Ali | 10 | 244 | 24.40 |
MI’s Top Five Batters Last Season
| Players | Matches | Runs | Average |
| Ishan Kishan | 14 | 418 | 32 |
| Tilak Varma | 14 | 397 | 36 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 8 | 303 | 43 |
| Rohit Sharma | 14 | 268 | 19 |
| Tim David | 8 | 186 | 37 |
Who will win
CSK are strong favourites to win this match.
Mumbai’s batters and bowlers are struggling. With the likes of Ben Stokes and Mooed Ali in their side, CSK will be looking to capitalise on the MI bowling attack that lacks both experience as well as bite.
Our prediction says CSK will come out trumps, despite Mumbai enjoying the home advantage.