The IPL 2021 resumes in Dubai on September 19.
The two teams had clashed with one another in their previous encounter in IPL 2021 which was played in India before the tournament was postponed due to the COVID outbreak in the multiple teams' bio-bubbles.
IPL 2021: Aakash Chopra predicts who will win the opening encounter between MI and CSK
The last time these two teams met, the match proved to be a high scoring classic as MI chased down the 219-run target with ease thanks to a brilliant 87* from Kieron Pollard, which bettered Ambati Rayudu’s 72* in 27 balls which had helped CSK make 218 runs batting first in Delhi.
Therefore this encounter between the two champion teams is highly anticipated and hence Team COC presents to you the Predicted Playing XIs for this CSK v MI.
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS (CSK)
Chennai Super Kings will be without the services of their England all-rounder Sam Curran who is yet to come out of his quarantine. Hence expect West Indies’ Dwayne Bravo to fill in for him in the first match of the second leg of the IPL 2021 to be played in Dubai.
Apart from this, the rest of the CSK team is expected to remain mostly the same with Faf du Plessis opening the innings with Ruturaj Gaikwad. The middle-order might see Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, and MS Dhoni giving nightmares to opposition bowlers.
MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming would need to choose between Josh Hazlewood and Lungi Ngidi for the third pacer. Based on recent form, Hazlewood who is coming off a series in Bangladesh might be preferred due to his experience over Ngidi’s pace.
MUMBAI INDIANS (MI)
The defending champions Mumbai Indians will be eager to pick up from where they left off in India. Though they would also like to rectify some of their selection gaffes, to put it, as Ishan Kishan had played only 5 matches out of 7 for them in the first half.
Quinton de Kock is coming off a Man of the Series performance in Sri Lanka and will partner Rohit Sharma at the top of the XI. Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, the Pandya brothers Hardik and Krunal, and the ever-dependent Kieron Pollard are expected to form the crux of their batting order.
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Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult are expected to walk into the playing XI, but the third pace bowler is still an open spot with Marco Jansen and Nathan Coulter-Nile vying for the spot.
CSK COC Predicted Playing XI:
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (C&WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood
MI COC Predicted Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Rahul Chahar