MI vs CSK Preview: Pitch Report, Weather Report, Toss Prediction, Team Changes for IPL Qualifier 1

MI vs CSK Preview: The Sportsrush presents before you full preview of the 56th match of IPL 2019 between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.

The League stages of IPL 2019 and after the 56 exciting contests, we have the top 4 teams which have managed to qualify for the all-important playoffs. In the first qualifier at Chennai, table toppers Mumbai Indians will take on the team which calls Chepauk their home. CSK will have the huge advantage of playing at Chennai and the best gift that they can give their fans is a direct entry to the final of IPL 2019. However, the road might not be as easy as it looks. MI have managed to win both their contests against CSK this year. They are the only team to do so and would love to make it 3 out of 3.

FORM GUIDE

Mumbai Indians have won 3 of their last 4 matches and are coming off 2 back to back wins. They are surely carrying the momentum and would like to keep it going for another week. A direct entry to the Final is up for grabs and MI look all set to fight hard to grab the opportunity. Their batting and bowling both look well settled and it should be interesting to see if they can play the same way at Chennai.

Chennai Super Kings have lost 2 of their last 4 matches and are coming off a loss. Some may say the momentum is not with them. However, when CSK plays in Chennai, they are a different team altogether. With Dhoni at the helm, CSK would put up a much more valiant fight than the last time MI met a Dhoni-less CSK at Chennai. Their batting order might have suffered a blow in the form of Kedar Jadhav’s injury but you can always trust CSK to find a way to overcome any obstacle.

TEAM CHANGES

Mumbai Indians are coming off a comprehensive win against KKR in their last league match. They would, however, like to change up a few things considering the spin-friendly nature of the Chepauk. After a great performance, Mitchell McClenaghan will be unlucky to miss out. Anukul Roy, who last started in the XI at Chennai and made a considerable impact, should be back in the mix. Also, considering an overseas spot is now vacant, Ishan Kishan might make way for Evin Lewis who had looked good in Chennai the last time.

Chennai Super Kings believe in backing their players under every circumstance. However, they will need to make some forced changes. Kedar Jadhav, after injuring his shoulder, has been ruled out of the IPL. Considering that CSK will now be left with exactly 5 bowling options in the XI if a pure batsman replaces Jadhav, they might go ahead and play an extra bowler in this crucial match. It should be a direct toss-up between Karn Sharma and Shardul Thakur. What goes on favour of Karn is that he can bat a bit and bowl spin in Chennai. However, the call has to be Dhoni’s on the basis of what he assesses the pitch to do.

PITCH AND WEATHER PREDICTION

The Chepauk pitch has been pretty slow throughout the season and has helped spinners on most occasions. Spinners might well determine the course of the match and it’s outcome. With an a erage score of just 135 in this season, it is easily the slowest wicket in this IPL. 150 might be a part score on this track if it hasn’t changed it’s nature much.

The skies will be overcast above Chennai and that nullifies the toss impact as there will hardly be any dew. This makes the match extremely fair. The temperature will remain around 33°C and a humidity of 58% should not be hard to handle for the players. There is no chance of rain playing spoilsport.

TOSS PREDICTION

The toss should not have much impact considering there will be very little dew. Hence, both teams might look to bat first and put up a good score on the board and then defend it by applying pressure on the team batting second.

Also Read : MI vs CSK Head to Head