The 33rd match of the ongoing IPL 2022 will see the blockbuster clash between 5-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI) and 4-time and current defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the DY Patil Stadium on April 21, 2022.
However, the build-up for the match has been for all the wrong reasons as they occupy the bottom two spots in the points table.
Things have gone horribly wrong for both the champion sides as MI has not been able to win a single game in 6 matches they have played, while CSK has registered one win in 6 matches, and the performances of both the teams have been utterly abysmal.
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The majority of problems stemmed from their choices of players in the IPL 2022 mega auction and then injuries compounding those issues. Now they have to do with the players available and hence, Team COC presents to you the predicted playing XIs for the MI v CSK match.
MUMBAI INDIANS
The form of main players, no support in the bowling department, and below-par spinners have been the bane for the MI squad this IPL 2022 season. Their captain Rohit Sharma has not been able to give the flying start he is known for when he plays for India.
Ishan Kishan, their INR 15.25 cr buy in the IPL 15 auction has cooled down after his 81 in the first match of the season. On a positive note, young Dewald Brevis has shown great courage and temperament and he needs to carry on when he gets a start.
Their batting has seen some solace in form of Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, another 19-year-old who has impressed a lot. However, Kieron Pollard’s indifferent form and their inability to trust Tim David’s talents have just made matters worst for their batting.
MI is yet to win a match in this tournament, while CSK have won one.
Fabian Allen has given support to M Ashwin in the spin department, but without the guidance of an experienced spinner in the squad, they have been ineffective, and maybe, MI might try Mayank Markande this time.
Jasprit Bumrah himself has been struggling to get a grip on the bowling attack, with his form has been also fluctuating. Jaydev Unadkat is doing his best to support but his efforts have been inadequate. Maybe it is time to bring in some serious pace in place of Tymal Mills and give Riley Meredith a debut and let him do his thing.
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS
Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, are suffering badly due to their picks in the auction as they put all of their eggs in the fast bowling department by picking Deepak Chahar for INR 14 crores. However, with him out of action, they do not have the same caliber backup in Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, Mukesh Choudhary, and KM Asif.
Robin Uthappa and Ruturaj Gaikwad have found form, while Moeen Ali and Ambati Rayudu have been improving. Shivam Dube has been exciting now that he is free to bat as he likes, while Ravindra Jadeja is back to his form with both the bat and the ball after a nervous start to the season as the new captain.
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MS Dhoni has been the cornerstone of the CSK unit as always, guiding Jadeja in the field and helping him whenever the captain wants him to. Dwayne Bravo has been their best bowler by far, with some support from Maheesh Theekshana.
Chris Jordan was expensive in his last outing and maybe it's time to bring back Dwaine Pretorius into the XI. Mukesh Choudhary is expected to keep his place in the XI for the lack of alternates.
MI COC Predicted Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Kieron Pollard, Fabian Allen, Jaydev Unadkat, Riley Meredith, Jasprit Bumrah, Mayank Markande
CSK COC Predicted Playing XI:
Robin Uthappa, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja (C), MS Dhoni (WK), Dwayne Bravo, Dwaine Pretorius, Maheesh Theekshana, Mukesh Choudhary
