Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019’s Qualifier 1 clash has pitted heavyweights Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings against each other. MI and CSK – IPL’s two most successful teams – will clash at Chepauk on Tuesday for a direct ticket to the final. Mumbai will have a slight psychological edge over Chennai having beaten them twice this season. MI are also the only side that boasts a better head-to-head record against CSK and will be looking to further extend that advantage. Beating CSK three successive times in a campaign, however, will be easier said than done. The last time we faced CSK in Chepauk also saw the defending champions field a playing XI without MS Dhoni, Faf du Plessis and Ravindra Jadeja. The qualifier 1 contest will be even more intriguing given both sides will go all guns blazing for a spot in the final.

Head-to-head

MI 15-11 CSK

Form Guide (Last 5 Games)

Mumbai Indians: W W L W L

Chennai Super Kings: L W L W L

From the MI dugout

Our batsmen will be in buoyant mood having already experienced success in Chennai’s spin-friendly conditions. The last match versus CSK in Chepauk saw skipper Rohit Sharma score a fifty and he will be keen for more of the same having made a half-century in MI’s last game against KKR as well. His opening partner and our top-scorer this year Quinton de Kock will also be eager to get back amongst the runs after missing out against KKR in the last game. Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya are expected to be in the thick of things as well with their subtle variations on Chennai’s slow surface. Our pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga will also relish playing in such challenging conditions.

Key Player

Rahul Chahar has been our most threatening spinner all season and will have a major role to play against MS Dhoni and co. Chahar has taken 10 wickets at an average of 28 and an economy rate of 7.17. He has been difficult to read for opposition batsmen and has gone on to firmly establish himself as our first-choice spin option. He along with Krunal will be entrusted to restrict the CSK’s batsmen in the middle overs and pick up wickets.

From the CSK dugout

Chennai’s defeat at home against Mumbai was their only loss at home this season. Shane Watson and du Plessis make for a formidable opening pair. Their middle order is also solid with the likes of Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja. On the bowling front, Dwayne Bravo, Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja are all experienced campaigners, who on their day can win games for their team single-handedly. Deepak Chahar has also performed well for CSK this season and has taken 16 wickets so far.

Key Player

Imran Tahir though will be CSK’s dangerman with the ball. Tahir has picked up 21 wickets at an average of 16.52 and an economy of 6.50. He has enjoyed two four-wicket spells in IPL 2019 and has been consistently amongst the wickets, especially in Chennai. How our batsmen fare against the South African’s variations will have a major say on the eventual outcome of the game.