MI vs CSK, IPL 2019 Final: Likely XIs, head to head, predictions and match updates
A perfect end to IPL 2019 – two giants levelled on number of trophies (three each) vying to go one better to stamp their superiority. Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings clash tonight in Hyderabad for a fourth title.
A cursory glance of how the season has gone by for both the teams will reveal MI dominated the league stage – they topped the points table, got the better of CSK twice, didn’t suffer consecutive defeats in a row.
CSK were unbeatable at home until MI came calling. The Rohit Sharma-led outfit beat them once in the league stage and then in the first qualifier to enter the final. MS Dhoni must be itching to exact revenge of three defeats.
MI vs CSK HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:
Matches played: 27
Won by MI: 16 (58%)
Won by CSK: 11 (42%)
In IPL playoffs:
Won by MI: 2
Won by CSK: 3
Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians possible teams:
MI Likely XI: 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Suryakumar Yadav, 4 Ishan Kishan, 5 Kieron Pollard, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 Mitchell McClenaghan/Jayant Yadav, 9 Rahul Chahar, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Lasith Malinga
CSK Likely XI: 1 Shane Watson, 2 Faf du Plessis, 3 Suresh Raina, 4 Ambati Rayudu, 5 MS Dhoni (capt/wk), 6 Murali Vijay, 7 Dwayne Bravo, 8 Ravindra Jadeja, 9 Harbhajan Singh, 10 Deepak Chahar, 11 Imran Tahir
CSK vs MI PREDICTION: This one is a toughie. Statistics tell us MI have been dominant over CSK. This season, MI have bossed over CSK – be at Wankhede (once) or Chepauk (twice). Also, MI are coming after a four-day rest. CSK beat Delhi Capitals in the second qualifier on Friday. MI have reached the final on the back of the brilliance of several players taking the lead in difference games. They aren’t a one-man army. CSK relied on Dhoni initially before others came to the party. Last season, Sunrisers Hyderabad must have fancied their chances before Shane Watson scored an imposing century to seal the deal. Expect this one to go down the wire. MI start as favourites though.