Mumbai: Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians will have home advantage as they host Mahendra Singh Dhoni and the Chennai Super Kings in their own den – Wankhede Stadium as Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier league kicks off on Tuesday.
MI started off the cash-rich league poorly losing their first four games before upping the ante right in time to make it for the playoffs, just when the performance of other teams began to taper. CSK have looked a confident side maintaining the same playing XI almost throughout the tournament.
Check out: Here are your top four qualifiers, find out who plays whom
It is imperative that both teams will give it their best shot for a berth in the finals and these players’ performances during the encounter will be vital for their side. It left unknown if MI will use the services of T20 maverick, Engaland’s Alex Hales, who has just joined the side. Let’s have a look at some other players.
Mumbai Indians
Rohit Sharma
He has a been a hit this season and his fierce shots at the start will prove vital for Mumbai Indians if they have to book a place in the finals. Skipper Rohit Sharma’s impressive stroke play and timing has always tortured the bowling opposition and this time around with the backing of a huge home crowd, a massive score by the skipper beckons.
Mitchell McClenaghan
Replacing his Kiwi teammate, injured Corey Anderson, Mitchell McClenaghan has been a revelation of sorts for MI, both with the bat and ball. His accurate pace and bounce has troubled batsmen and in turn has affected run scoring immensely. McClenaghan also compliments Sri Lankan ace Lasith Malinga well. The former will look to carry on his impeccable form going ahead of this mouth-watering match.
Ambati Rayudu
He didn’t feature in the playing XI against Sunrisers Hyderabad but Ambati Rayudu has proved to deliver under pressure for MI, in what is a very positive sign for the Ricky Ponting coached side. His 34*, 49* against CSK and Delhi Daredevils respectively turned the tide of the match in MI’s favour. MI will hope that Rayudu delivers during this crucial match also.
Chennai Super Kings
Suresh Raina
After the departure of big-hitter Kiwi star Brendon McCullum, CSK are heavily relying on Indian all-rounder Suresh Raina, who has featured in the side since 2008. Raina is a hardcore T20 player, but going by his performance so far and his capability, the left-hander finds himself to be slightly out of touch, this is the first time in IPL that his name in not included in the top 10 run-getters list. Raina will look to rectify this situation and ensure his side emerge triumphant at the end of the day.
Ravichandran Ashwin
The Wankhede pitch at times proves to be quite helpful to spinners and Ravichandran Ashwin will delightfully take advantage of the situation to add wickets to his name. His attacking style of bowling coupled with variations has made him a huge task for opposition batsmen to face. A good economy rate is what he can boast off and Ashwin can render some help to Dhoni during the match.
Dwayne Smith
He may miss his opening partner McCullum, but that will surely not stop West Indies batsman Dwayne Smith from unleashing fierce strokes right at the start of the CSK innings. Smith has to fire all guns and ensure the opposition is put on the backfoot. Alarmingly, he has not many runs to his name this season and Smith will hope to rectify that here on Tuesday.
*(Photos: BCCI)
