IPL 2024, MI vs CSK: Decoding the key player battles
Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings will meet in what is called the El Classico of the Indian Premier League. The match number 29 will be played at the Wankhede Stadium. An exciting contest is on the cards as MI have recorded two comprehensive defeats after losing their first three fixtures. CSK have three wins in five games. Let's decode the key player battles.
Rohit Sharma vs Deepak Chahar
Rohit Sharma has been guilty of throwing away starts this season. He would want to make a substantial contribution in the marquee clash. The opener will have to deal with Deepak Chahar, who is one of IPL's best new ball bowlers. As per ESPNcricinfo, Chahar has dismissed Rohit thrice across nine IPL meetings. Rohit has scored 60 runs with a strike rate of 122.44.
Suryakumar Yadav vs Ravindra Jadeja
MI star batter Suryakumar Yadav, who made a stunning fifty in his preceding outing, will have to tackle CSK's spinners in these middle overs, especially Ravindra Jadeja. In nine meetings in the IPL, Jadeja has dismissed Suryakumar thrice. The 33-year-old has amassed 45 runs against Jadeja with a strike rate of only 76.27. SKY has slammed only four boundaries without hitting a single maximum.
Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Jasprit Bumarh
Jasprit Bumrah has been a force with the ball this season. He even claimed a match-winning fifer in his last assignment. CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad will have his task cut out against the MI speedster. Bumrah has a T20 economy rate of 6.15 in powerplay overs since 2020 (27 wickets in 64 innings). Gaikwad has a powerplay strike rate of 125.35 this season.
Shivam Dube vs Gerald Coetzee
Shivam Dube has emerged as the nucleus of CSK's middle order. He has an average and strike rate of 44 and 160, respectively, this season. The southpaw might have a face-off with Gerald Coetzee in the end overs. Five of Coetzee's eight wickets this season have come in the final five overs. Dube has been striking at 170.27 in this phase in IPL 2024.
Key details about the match
Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium will host this duel on April 14 (7:30pm IST). The venue is known for big scores as the batters get value for shots. There is assistance for the pacers with the new ball. The toss-winning captain will likely elect to bowl, with dew setting in. Star Sports will telecast the match, and fans can also live-stream it on JioCinema for free.
