The CSK versus MI clash is considered as the El Clasico of the Indian Premier League (IPL) since both teams have been highly successful in the cash-rich tournament over the years.
While the MS Dhoni-led side has won the IPL title four times, the Rohit Sharma-led side has lifted the trophy as many as five times.
In the IPL 2023 so far, the two teams have faced each other once, with CSK winning the contest by seven wickets at the Wankhede Stadium last month.
CSK and MI are due to meet for the second time this season at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday (May 6).
On the eve of the game, Mumbai’s wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan said they are “ready for any conditions” at Chepauk.
“Yeah, obviously that’s not my call anyway, I think the management will decide what to do (whether we will choose to bat or bowl) but our intent is going to be very clear.
“Like if the ball is there to be hit, we’ll go for it because you know in T20 cricket, you just need one or two good overs. We know they have got plenty of spinners in their side. Because we have played so many years of IPL we know how the wicket is going to play especially in Chennai, so we are ready for any conditions actually,” Kishan told reporters.
The southpaw also highlighted the importance of a good start and said, “I think it’s very important when you’re chasing such a big total, you need a good start. You need your powerplay to be good.”
“It was important not to let the bowlers dominate and instead put pressure on them. So that’s the positive mindset we keep on in every game.”
CSK are occupying third spot on the points table whereas MI are placed at sixth position in the 10-team standings
About facing Matheesha Pathirana, who is known for his bowling action that is very similar to legend Lasith Malinga, Kishan said, “I think there are so many technologies now, there are so many videos coming up, we will definitely watch his video what he’s trying to do with the new ball. Also, we can’t just focus on one bowler. At the same time, we can’t give him so much respect, if he is bowling well, we have to give him respect. But we need to have a positive mindset, that is if he misses it, we are going to go after you. That will be the mindset.”
“Yes, we played Malinga in the nets also when he was with MI, so that gives us a lot of confidence. He was a legendary bowler. We practiced well when he was bowling. We will just look to watch the ball and play our own game, it doesn’t matter how he bowls, we don’t want to think about what his strength is, we will focus on our mindset and think how we can score runs of his bowling,” he further remarked.
(With PTI Inputs)
