CSK vs MI in IPL 2021 – Big Battles Chennai vs Mumbai: The IPL 2021 Phase 2 will kick off with the El Clasico, as arch-rivals Mumbai Indians will take on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the opener. The game will be of prime importance especially with the two teams battling for a playoff spot and with a quick turnover of games, momentum will be highly essential. The two teams have faced off 32 times over the course of history, with Mumbai Indians holding the advantage, leading 19-13 following their win in Phase 1. With the return to the El Clasico, Insidesport.co looks at 5 big battles between Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians.
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CSK vs MI in IPL 2021: Checkout 5 big battles between Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians
1. MS Dhoni vs Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah has time and again shown that he remains the best in the business. A fearsome pacer both in the powerplay and at the death, Bumrah is known for accuracy in delivering the yorkers and picking up wickets to derail the opposition. He will likely come up against CSK captain MS Dhoni, who in his prime was one of the finest hitters of the cricket ball. While his reflexes have waned, MS Dhoni did show that he still boasts of that power during practice, and will aim to do so in the game. The Mumbai Indians pacer has dismissed him thrice previously, while the CSK captain has scored 56 runs at a run-a-ball in 13 innings.
2. Suresh Raina vs Rahul Chahar
Suresh Raina returned to CSK in Phase 1, but barring his half-century against the Delhi Capitals, the left-handers did not contribute much with the bat. Now, the left-hander has the opportunity to make it count again and Mumbai Indians remain one of his favourite opposition. he will likely go up against their lead spinner in Rahul Chahar, who will be desperate to prove his worth following his selection in the T20 World Cup squad. The duo have gone up thrice against each other, with Chahar striking once, while Raina scored 12 runs at a strike rate of 100. Rahul’s numbers against left-handers are a far cry from what he manages against the right-handed batsmen, and Raina will be keen to pounce and take advantage.
3. Rohit Sharma vs Shardul Thakur
The two Mumbai boys will face off when CSK and MI collide in IPL 2021 Phase 2. The duo performed admirably in England and will be looking to replicate those heroics in the IPL, where they haven’t found their best of form over the last few seasons. Rohit Sharma relatively has had success against Shardul Thakur in their seven IPL meetings. Rohit Sharma has scored 45 runs off just 32 deliveries, scoring at a strike rate of 140.62. Thakur has scalped him only once, while has conceded five boundaries and two sixes. The Mumbai Indians skipper will be aiming to get the number of Thakur once again, when he opens the batting this weekend.
4. Kieron Pollard vs Dwayne Bravo
Two West Indian greats Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo will be up against each other when CSK and Mi face off in Abu Dhabi. Pollard has a favourable record against Bravo, scoring 125 runs off just 77 balls against him at a strike rate of 162.33, with 10 fours and eight sixes. Bravo has dismissed him thrice, while in return has score 17 runs off 9 balls bowled by the Mumbai Indians stalwart. Incidentally in the CPL, Kieron Pollard’s defending champions crashed out in the semi-finals, while Bravo’s Patriots were crowned champions after a dismal 2020 season.
5. Quinton de Kock vs Lungi Ngidi
The two South Africans will face off in the powerplay should Ngidi feature ahead of Imran Tahir. De Kock has punished Ngidi severely in their two face-offs, with the South African opener scoring 21 runs in the eight balls faced at a strike rate of 262. Ngidi has never dismissed de Kock and the Proteas will want to do so on Sunday. Should Imran Tahir play ahead of Ngidi, the leg-spinner has kept De Kock quiet, conceding just 10 runs in 14 deliveries bowled at him.
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