Tim Southee also backed MI to beat CSK in the IPL 14 contest on Saturday (May 1) in Delhi.
Mumbai Indians might not have been seen at their best and dominant mode in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) so far, but Scott Styris still backed the defending champions No. 1 team in the tournament ahead of their clash against the table-toppers Chennai Super Kings on Saturday (May 1).
The defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have lost three games and won three games so far in the ongoing IPL 2021, while Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won their last five games in a row, losing just one game, but commentator Styris doesn’t think people should judge MI on their previous show, saying the five-time champions are still favorites against CSK in Saturday’s game in Delhi.
Former New Zealand all-rounder believes that MI struggled on the dreadful cricket pitch of Chennai, but now their campaign has moved to Delhi and they would return to the dominating mode there.
Styris said on Star Sports show Cricket Live: “The power rankings, which you mentioned, I still have Mumbai at number one. So, I'm sticking to that, I think Mumbai, will go in as favorites. However, with the performances CSK has given, they could win this as well. I think this is a bit of a test for CSK because I think you still need to judge yourself against Mumbai juggernaut.”
The commentator further added, “You can't judge Mumbai and what they've done so far -- this Chennai, it was a dreadful cricket pitch. They're out of there. Now, they're getting back onto a surface that they are more comfortable with. I think we'll see their players flourish and show their skills.”
While picking MI as the favorites to defend their IPL 2021 title, Styris said he would like to see CSK beat Mumbai in the coming IPL 14 clash as it will boost their chances for winning the title this season.
He signed off by saying, “I'd love to CSK win it because I think that really does make them title contenders -- they're already title contenders, but this will really solidify that. Other than that, Mumbai is still the favorite in this competition.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand pacer Tim Southee also believes that MI will have an upper hand over CSK in the IPL 14 game on Saturday since Mumbai isn’t playing on Chennai's pitches anymore.
Southee further explained, “Yeah, it's again a great battle. I think CSK played some great cricket throughout the summer so far but I think -- like Scotty again, not joint agreement Scotty -- they might go in on a wicket that should suit them more than what Chennai wicket did.”
He signed off by saying, “So I think they'll start to find their own in the next few games. And as we know Mumbai, they are a quality side -- pushed strong through the middle and back into this tournament. So, I am picking Mumbai.”