IPL: Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings Predictions

Mumbai Indians are on the verge of elimination after six losses on the trot.

They would need to notch up their first win of this IPL to remain afloat when they face Chennai Super Kings here on Thursday.

A loss could send the five-time champions Mumbai packing from the tournament.

Defending champions CSK, who are just a rung above bottom-placed MI, have also faltered as a team.

With five losses from six games, a defeat on Thursday would also send them on the brink of elimination.

For Mumbai, the biggest concern is the form of skipper Rohit Sharma, who has gathered only 114 runs from six innings. If Mumbai have to chase or set up a big total, he will have to do the bulk of scoring.

Young batter Ishan Kishan has also not justified his heavy price tag of Rs 15.25 crore. He needs to do more than the 191 runs from six matches with the help two half centuries.

Match details

Date: 21 April 2022
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Venue: DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai

Pitch Report

The pitches at DY Patil Stadium have been on the high-scoring side from the start.

Batters have enjoyed their time in the middle while bowlers have failed to impress.

So, the Thursday game could see another high scoring game.

Head to Head record

Matches Played: 32
Won by MI: 19
Won by CSK: 13

Mumbai Indians Likely 11

Rohit Sharma (C), Ishan Kishan (wk), Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Kieron Pollard, Jaydev Unadkat, Murugan Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Basil Thampi, Tymal Mills

Chennai Super Kings Likely 11

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Robin Uthappa, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja (C), MS Dhoni (wk), Dwayne Bravo, Dwaine Pretorious, Maheesh Theekshana, Mukesh Choudhary

Best batter of the Match

Ruturaj Gaikwad has struck form belatedly.

After playing an excellent knock of 73 runs against GT, the right-handed batter Ruturaj Gaikwad looks in good nick to continue against the five-time champions as well.

Gaikwad had played a gem of a knock against the Mumbai Indians during their last year’s encounter and was adjudged the Player of the Match.

He is our pick for best batter of the match.

Best bowler of the Match

Jasprit Bumrah is the clear favourite to shine with the ball.

Though MI conceded 199 runs in their previous encounter against LSG, Jasprit Bumrah bowled splendidly and gave away only 24 runs in his four-over quota.

The dangerous right-arm pacer will want to take some crucial wickets for his side in the upcoming match against the defending champions.

Best all-rounder of the Match

Ravindra Jadeja has still not exploded in this year’s IPL.

He did, however, give a peek of his bowling ability against RCB, picking up three wickets for 39 runs.

But he is equally capable of setting the ablaze with his big hitting.

Jadeja is our pick for all-rounder of the match.

Best wicket-keeper of the Match

Ishan Kishan hit 2 back-to-back half-centuries in the first 2 matches for MI.

However, he has not been able to repeat the same performances in the last four matches where Ishan failed to even cross the 30-run mark.

MI will need him to fire  in this match to have a chance against the defending champions.

We reckon Ishan will hit some good form in the match and will excel with the gloves as well as the bat in this key encounter.

Who will win

CSK has won a match and MI haven’t won any, so it’s definitely hard to predict.

However, our experts believe that CSK have a big weakness which MI can exploit.

CSK’s bowling has been very unimpressive. There hasn’t been a single CSK bowler who has looked threatening and that could prove to be fatal.

Also, it’s a matter of time before Rohit Sharma and Ishan strike form and this could be the defining moment for them.

Hence our prediction is that MI will emerge winners.