MI vs CSK Dream 11 Prediction: Best Dream11 team for today’s MI vs CSK match | IPL Qualifier 1 as TSR helps you form the best Dream 11 team
The IPL playoffs are here and what better than the ‘El Classico’ of the IPL to kick things off in Chennai. While CSK are fortunate(and good enough) to have the IPL Qualifier 1 in their own backyard, they wouldn’t have wanted to play MI at the Chepauk, as they don’t really have a good record against them.
Against any other team, CSK would have been confident about executing their plans in their own den, but against a resurgent MI, things could get a little tricky.
MI ended the league stage on the top of the table and would be wanting to go through to the finals with a win against their arch rivals. Moreover, they are coming off a handsome win in their last game vs KKR, whereas, CSK couldn’t muster a win against KXIP in their last game.
Let’s get to business now.
MI vs CSK Dream 11 Prediction
Wicketkeeper for MI vs CSK Dream 11
While MS Dhoni has been brilliant with the bat this season, for me, Quinton de Kock gets the nod for this game, as he bats higher up the order and has done equally well as his counterpart. With Rayudu playing in the middle order Dhoni has had to bat at 5 on a lot of occasions, thereby limiting his Dream11 potential. Hence, I get in QDK, who has 390.5 Dream11 points to his name, as opposed to the 316.5 points that MS Dhoni has.
Bowlers for MI vs CSK Dream 11
Now, the Chennai track has seen 160+ scores in both innings in the last few games(apart from that DC debacle). With dew coming in during the second innings, things could work in the batting side’s favour, but inherently, the pitch is going to favour the spinners and bowlers who can use the slower ball to good effect.
With MI having 3 left handers in their top 7, Harbhajan Singh is going to play a huge role at the Chepauk on Tuesday. Having been successful against left-handers all through the IPL, the Indian veteran spinner would love to replicate that against his former side. And on current form, he very well can. Get him in for sure.
Imran Tahir has been CSK’s lynchpin with the ball all through the IPL, having picked up 21 wickets in 14 games this season. He has been spinning the ball on flat surfaces and thus I am pretty confident that he would be able to do the same on the slow, sluggish turner at the Chepauk too.
Bumrah or Chahar?
For the final bowling pick, I would be getting in one from Jasprit Bumrah and Rahul Chahar. While on the basis of pure skill Bumrah should be getting the nod, with respect to the pitch conditions and form, Chahar too has a good claim to that final bowling spot. Now, I get in Bumrah, if MI bowl first and get in Rayudu as the batsman. If CSK bowl first, I would get in Rahul Chahar and Shane Watson.
I come up with these two combinations, as I would be willing to invest heavily in Bumrah only if MI bowl first, giving me full assurance that Bumrah gets to complete his full quota of 4 overs under normal circumstances. Also, I wouldn’t want to invest into Rayudu, if CSK bat second, as he might not get to feature at all, with Dhoni sometimes promoting himself to number 4 during chases.
All-Rounders for MI vs CSK Dream 11
Hardik Pandya is an automatic selection, thanks to what he has done with the bat and ball this season. For the second all rounder pick, I get in Krunal Pandya, whose dual scoring skills could come in very handy at the Chepauk. Not only does he get to bowl his full quota of 4 overs, he will also come in handy down the order if MI suffer a collapse or need some explosive batting down the order.
But the major reason for getting him in is going to be his bowling, something that can really shower you with Dream11 points considering the Chennai track.
For the final bowling pick, I would be getting in Dwayne Bravo, as he gets to bowl at least 3 overs at the death and can really bamboozle the batsmen with his dipping slower one’s. The Chennai track once again could help him get some grip from the surface, thereby making his cutters even more lethal.
Batsmen for MI vs CSK Dream 11
Rohit Sharma and Faf du Plessis stuck form in their previous outings and thus I get them in not only on pure class but also on current form.
While Rohit has been a little hot and cold this season, in the second half he has been chipping in with some good 30s, helping MI get good enough starts. Faf has not really fired after his brilliant innings in his first game of the season. But just like Rohit, he too has been there and thereabouts with his timing and his scores. Moreover, when you play at Chennai, you need to put faith in your top order batsmen doing the job, as once the ball gets soft, it could really difficult to get the spinners away.
Suryakumar Yadav too is a ‘current form and top order’ pick. He plays spin well too, something that went in his favour as well.
For the final pick, I have already spoken about getting one from Rayudu and Watson. As explained above, I get in Rayudu(along with Bumrah), if CSK bat first. Else, I go in with Watson(along with Rahul Chahar).
Captain: Hardik Pandya
Vice Captain: Imran Tahir
